Recent Posts

Fatal Branch County crash

A Branch County man died in a single-vehicle crash over the weekend in Sherwood Township. Michigan State Police were called shortly after midnight Friday to Oliverda Road, south of Blossom Road in response to a crash with injuries. Troopers determined that the driver, a 55-year-old Sherwood man, was driving north on Oliverda Road when his vehicle crossed the center line, …

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Helicopter service to be discontinued

West Michigan Air Care will discontinue its helicopter service at Ascension Borgess Hospital and Bronson Healthcare in Kalamazoo. According to WOOD-TV 8, an email sent to employees from Bronson Healthcare President and CEO Bill Manns cited a 50 percent reduction in flights over the past 15 years, as well as strong ambulance transportation in the region. The email said service …

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Snowplow bill heads to state House

WGVU Public Media has reported that legislation recently approved by the state senate would require motorists to stay at least 200 feet from snow plows actively engaged in road-clearing practices. Jerry Byrne, with the Kent County Road Commission, said the new bill is not necessarily about enforcement, but about changing driver behavior and keeping everyone safe. Byrne says that while …

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Out and About – Week of February 19th

There are at least five things that are or will be getting cheaper in 2024. They include: — Gas prices. The colder months and lower demand from drivers are largely why there’s been much relief at the pump. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, last December gas prices declined 1.9% year-over-year. Lately, gas prices drop a few cents at …

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Central dispatch considers new communications tower

The potential addition of a new communications tower in St. Joseph County would correct a long-standing issue experienced by emergency personnel and Central Dispatch. Stacey Bower, St. Joseph County Central Dispatch director, explained the situation to commissioners during their executive committee meeting Tuesday. She said the need is in the southeast quadrant of the county. A new tower to field …

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Vicksburg seeks applications for village seat

Vicksburg Village Council is looking for someone to fill a term that expires in 2026. The opening was created with the Jan. 26 resignation of Rick Holmes. Village manager Jim Mallery said any village resident interested in completing the term should notify the village clerk on or before March 3. An application is also available on the village’s website. Mallery …

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Road commission plans for millage-renewal request

Members of the St. Joseph County Road Commission Board are gearing up for a public-awareness campaign regarding a millage-renewal request this summer. Registered voters in St. Joseph County will see on the August primary-election ballot a request for renewal of 1 mill to maintain funding of the Centreville-based agency. If approved, the 1 mill will continue to generate nearly $2.5 …

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County commission hears staffing update

St. Joseph County officials plan to form a committee in an attempt to stem an unprecedented staffing shortage in the prosecutor’s office. During their executive committee meeting Tuesday, commissioners heard a status update from county prosecutor David Marvin. He said the roster of prosecutors is at an all-time low. At full strength, the roster would ideally be five people deep, …

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Colon parks selling personalized bricks for pavilion

Colon Community Parks Board members are a week away from ordering a new batch of personalized bricks to be placed in the pavilion area by the flagpole at the West State Street park. Cost is $50 for a 4-by-8-inch brick or $100 for an 8-by-8-inch brick. Park officials said people who purchased bricks in the past have done so to …

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Homeless encampment broken up

A homeless encampment in a Three Rivers-area location is being broken up. Nearly a dozen residents who have been living off the land in an area behind AutoZone on U.S. 131 and in the vicinity of Walmart were told Feb. 6 to begin gathering their belongings and moving from the Fabius Township property. According to the Three Rivers Commercial-News, Three …

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