News

Members of the Constantine Village Council are looking into options related to construction of a new fire station. During their Oct. 16 meeting, council members recognized the cost for a new station to meet their specifications would be about $2.7 million. Congressman Tim Walberg, however, has indicated the availability of a federal grant that could cover as much as 75 …

Seven area high schools qualified for the MHSAA 2023 football postseason tournament. Dates and kick-off times will be announced later this week. In Division 4, Vicksburg squeaked into the playoffs despite a 4-5 record. It will face Niles in opening-round action Friday or Saturday. Next, in Division 5, 8-1 Constantine will host 3-6 Olivet. Schoolcraft, a Division 7 school, made …

Mendon Community Schools Superintendent Leasa Griffith said the district is hosting a community forum tonight to discuss an upcoming bond-renewal proposal. The meeting begins at 6 o’clock in Mendon High School library. Griffith said discussion will center on the needs of the schools’ facilities and grounds. She said the renewal will not raise taxes, but, if approved, would generate approximately $20 …

Here’s an update on work being done on U.S. 131 in St. Joseph and Kalamazoo counties, according to Michigan Department of Transportation’s Christopher Jacobs. Recently completed work includes hot-mix asphalt leveling and top course, right lane and shoulder application northbound; strain pole foundations chipped down at the northeast quadrant at Main Street; restoration work northbound and southbound; and northbound ditching …

Centreville Public Schools has approved the purchase of a used bus. During its monthly meeting Monday, the district’s board of education acted on the finance committee’s recommendation to buy the 77-passenger bus, manufactured by the company Thomas Built Buses. It features underbelly storage. Superintendent Chad Brady said the $79,000 purchase is being made with Grand Rapids-based Hoekstra Transportation. Brady said …

The passenger in a vehicle being pursued by authorities died after it crashed into a tree over the weekend in Cass County’s Mason Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were advised shortly before midnight Sunday that officers from Nappanee Police Department were in pursuit of a vehicle reported stolen from Elkhart County. Nappanee Police terminated their pursuit when they lost …

Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for September increased by two-tenths of a percent from the previous month. Figures from the monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget show the state’s September unemployment rate was 3.9 percent. The August rate was 3.7 percent. The state’s county-by-county unemployment figures are expected to be released this week.

Sturgis city officials recently approved a measure that will see a new location for the city’s weekly farmers market. The move will put the farmers market at the north end of Oaklawn Park effective in 2024. It was previously held in TSC parking lot. The market has traditionally been held Wednesdays and Saturdays, May through October. It typically has up …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners made three appointments during their meeting last week. Luke Lori was added to the Community Corrections Advisory Board in the capacity of a term that expires at the end of the year. He is the son of former, longtime sheriff Matt Lori. Meanwhile, Randy Chupp and Rick Anderson were appointed to the St. Joseph …

State-issued grants that help cover expenses related to various court programs were approved last week by St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Community Corrections Director Melissa Bliss said the grants are: $130,000 to Circuit Court for the Michigan Drug Court program; $160,000 to Circuit Court for the Swift and Sure Sanctions Probation program; $16,000 to District Court for its Drug …