WLKM Radio 95.9 FM

The U.S. Small Business Administration has made low-interest federal disaster loans available for those affected by the March 6th tornadoes. According to federal officials, loans are available for businesses, nonprofits and residents. The SBA also issued a disaster declaration Monday following a request by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The declaration covers eight counties, including St. Joseph, Cass and Branch. Residents in …

Sturgis firefighters were dispatched shortly after 4:30 a.m. Thursday to a residential blaze in the 500 block of Mechanic Street. According to a department media release, first-arriving crews noticed a fully-involved garage fire that had extended to the home as well as to a residence west of the property. Damage was considerable, authorities said. The garage was completely engulfed, a …

Three Rivers Mayor Angel Johnston issued a Facebook post bemoaning the condition of Michigan Avenue and other state-owned routes through the city. According to the post made Wednesday, Johnston said her vehicle is in need of an alignment due to travel on roadways in Three Rivers. Johnston said most complaints she and city hall field center on Michigan Avenue. In …

Constantine is staging its “Big Trash Days” this weekend. The annual event runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Dumpsters will be available at the village’s DPW garage – 270 W. Johnson St. – where residents can discard their hard-to-dispose-of big items. Each residence is limited to two pickup loads, no item should …

St. Joseph County Prosecutor Deb Davis said a member of her staff will receive a professional accolade Friday. A swearing-in ceremony for soon-to-be assistant prosecuting attorney Abby Stoll takes place at 12:15 p.m. tomorrow in the third-floor Historic Court Building. Davis said Stoll has been working under her through a court rule allowing recent graduates to practice in a limited …

Monday’s strong winds took their toll on county services in St. Joseph County this week. Erin Goff, from the county’s administrator’s office, said loss of power forced a number of county agencies to close Tuesday and Wednesday. In light of the power outage that struck Centreville late Monday, non-emergency county buildings in the village were closed for the day Tuesday. …

White Pigeon Township Library invites the public to participate in a new program offered Monday mornings starting next week. Director Perri Saunders said the popular game Mahjong will be taught starting at 9:30 a.m. every Monday through the summer. Overseen by Suzi Puckett, demonstrations will center on how to play the game in its American and Chinese versions. Saunders suggested …

A 39-year-old Coldwater man was arrested earlier this week on several charges related to drugs and failure to comply. Branch County Sheriff Fred Blankenship said deputies attempted to stop the man shortly before 10 p.m. Monday on Fiske Road, near Newton Road, in Coldwater Township. Authorities said the man was being pulled over for a license-plate violation. However, the suspect …

As many as 6,000 residences and businesses in St. Joseph County lost power as a result of a wind storm Monday afternoon and evening. Winds were clocked in excess of 60 miles in various locations around the county, according to emergency management officials. Consumer’s Energy reported more than 4,000 customers lost power Monday afternoon, while Indiana-Michigan Power said nearly 2,000 …

The Sturgis Area Community Foundation is transitioning to a county-wide foundation and board of trustees, now serving all of St. Joseph County. The move marks an important step in the foundation’s continued growth, and reflects its expanding role in county-wide philanthropy and community leadership, according to Erin Melchi-Baker, board chair. SACF has experienced significant growth over recent years, increasing from …