News

Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy is continuing its fundraising campaign toward a goal of $250,000. Agency officials said the drive is an attempt to purchase a 457-acre property called the LaGrange Valley Wetlands. The Cass County property features an extensive amount of wetlands with water flowing ultimately into the Dowagiac Creek. Acquisition of the property will allow Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy …

The Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the 2023 “Treasures of St. Joseph County” event. This year’s attraction is a fundraiser to help with renovation of the Langley Covered Bridge. It will take place 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 23 at Covered Bridge Farm Park. Tickets are $60 per person and include music, wine tasting, a dessert auction …

Glen Oaks Community College officials have secured an architect to aid with development of a new, on-campus building. College officials are planning to have a new agriculture building constructed and during last week’s meeting, Glen Oaks Board of Trustees members OK’d the hiring of Design Collaborative of Fort Wayne to handle the task. The college, however, is waiting for approval …

Heritage Park at the St. Joseph County Grange Fair is encouraging participation in the open-class tractors event at the upcoming St. Joseph County Grange Fair. Tractor clubs can park together in open-class the Friday before the fair starts and until 10 a.m. Saturday. There will be 24-hour security and the operator of each tractor will be issued a two-day pass. …

United Community Assistance Program wishes to remind the public it is available to help meet the needs residents may have, including assistance with food, gas, laundry service, utilities, personal care and resource information. Furthermore, its Stone Cottage Free Store has clothing, undergarments, coats, shoes, winterwear, towels and blankets available. UCAP Assistance office is located at 320 N. Main St. in …

St. Joseph County United Way is preparing to host a fundraiser targeting suicide prevention. The second annual Walking Along Suicide Prevention 5K will take place Sept. 9 at Oak Lawn Park in Sturgis. Registration starts at 9 a.m., the run begins at 10 o’clock. Advance registration ends Aug. 31 and is $25. Day-of registration is $35 and student cost is …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners agreed Tuesday to initiate the process of removing Mark Lillywhite from the office of sheriff. By a 6-1 vote, commissioners approved a motion made by Commissioner Jared Hoffmaster, who requested a complaint be registered with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, with the intent of having Lillywhite removed from office. The motion came toward the conclusion of …

Michigan State Police and Michigan Department of Corrections have been conducting a month-long investigation into incidents involving drugs and cell phones being smuggled into the Lakeland prison in Coldwater. Investigators received a tip about a potential attempt of drugs and/or a cell phone being thrown over a fence on the west side of the prison property. Around 5 a.m. Sunday, …

Work on four major county-backed projects is continuing, though county officials are being advised to prepare for higher-than-projected expenses. During last week’s executive committee meeting, project manager Jennifer Sawyer provided updates on the Three Rivers satellite courthouse, the Centreville courthouse courts building, the historic courthouse roof project and work at the St. Joseph County Jail. Bids for the historic courthouse …

Plans are underway for the city of Sturgis to bring market-rate housing through what is called a tiny homes project. WOOD-TV reported that the property, on Prospect Street between Hatch and West streets, is enough to fit one normal-sized home. But the city’s housing commission plans to fit five “small homes” that are about the same size as a large …