St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners approved nine personnel matters Tuesday. Joshua Simmons was hired as deputy equalization director at a rate of $55,000 a year. Also hired were Valerie Casterline as deputy county clerk/elections specialist at $17 an hour, and Melissa Patch, who was brought aboard as a part-time deputy register of deeds at a rate of $14 an …

Ken Malone last week was reappointed to the seat of mayor, following action by the Sturgis City Commission. Meanwhile, Robert Hile will serve another term as the city’s vice mayor. Commissioner Charles Huber initially nominated Hile for the mayor’s post. But after Hile declined the nomination, a unanimous ballot was cast for Malone. Malone has served as mayor since 2011 …

Irene M. Neidlinger “Mrs. Irene,” beloved by many, passed away suddenly on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015 at her home. She was born in Chicago, Ill. on Aug. 26, 1937 to John and Barbara Geier. Irene moved to Three Rivers as a toddler. She attended Immaculate Conception School and graduated from Three Rivers High School with the class of 1955. On …

Six months after allocating funds toward the purchase of a Burr Oak Township property, members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners have formally committed to the transaction. Tuesday’s purchase agreement centered on what has been called the Stewart Lake parcel. The 126-acre property includes a body of water and will be managed by the county’s parks and recreation …

State police were called last week to a Branch County business in response to an armed robbery. According to a department media release, a man described as a skinny white male entered A.J. Butler’s General Store on Clarendon Road in Butler Township around 6:45 p.m. Friday. The man, wearing sunglasses and a bandana over a portion of his face, displayed …

For the third time in three months, Florence Township Supervisor Gordon Evilszior asked members of the county commission to consider funding a rehab of what is generally considered the worst road in St. Joseph County. Evilsizor has been seeking assistance to help correct a stretch of Constantine Road in White Pigeon and Florence townships. The north-south route forms the border …

Betty Lou McKenzie, age 76, of Three Rivers, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, November 15, 2015 at the Riverview Manor with her husband and family at her side. She was born on September 11, 1939 in Eau Claire, MI., the daughter of the late Thomas J. and Martha Rose (Archer) Kent. Betty and her husband Terril “Terry” …

Once a year we take a ride over to Ann Arbor for my annual appointment with a neurosurgeon. The doctor, along with another neurosurgeon, spends time discussing the MRI CD that I took along. I have a small tumor on my pituitary gland, and with the prescribed medication, the tumor is shrinking. This is what the two doctors and I …

Hoping to get a sense of how strongly the public is willing to support a higher millage, the St. Joseph County Road Commission is preparing to stage a countywide survey. Managing director Chris Minger said the opinion poll is being prepared by a company that specializes in public-opinion surveys. He expects all means of media and social networks to be …

Jeff Mullins was chosen last week to fill the Precinct 1 vacancy on the Sturgis City Commission. The 43-year-old Mullins is an account executive for LTi Printing. One vote was cast for Steven Shevick, the other Precinct 1 resident to express an interest in the appointment. Mullins was one of five candidates who stepped forward in April when former at-large …