Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners will open the year with four items of new business during their first meeting of 2016 this afternoon. Matters of consideration include memorandums of understanding with the village of Centreville and Park Township for shared grant-writer duties. Also on the agenda is setting the meeting dates and times for 2016 commission …

The Animal Control Shelter Advisory Board will be adding two new members in 2016. During their Dec. 15 meeting, St. Joseph County commissioners approved a request to expand the advisory board’s size from eight to 10 members. The two new positions call for at-large representation. County administrator Pat Yoder said the change in advisory board bylaws was required by the …

Mayor Tom Lowry and the Three Rivers City Commission have five matters of new business before them this evening. The agenda items include whether to consider the home at 429 Fourth Ave. a public nuisance and issue a demolition order; discussion of a $28,000 purchase order of diesel fuel with Drake’s Crystal Flash; consideration of awarding sports complex-related work to …

Thelma “Sam” Deane Rossow, age 76, died on Thursday, December 31, 2015.   Per Thelma’s request, she has given her body for study. Cremation will take place at a later date. Arrangements by Hohner Funeral Home.

Russell Fredrick Lowe, age 78, died on Tuesday, December 29, 2015.   In accordance with Russell’s wishes cremation was conducted and services will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Hohner Funeral Home.

Dear 2015, After 365 days, it is time to say farewell to you. So many things happened this past year. Not just in my life, but in the lives of my family, friends and everyone else whose lives were touched by you. It is hard to comprehend all that has transpired over the past 12 months. Some things we wish …

The St. Joseph County Transportation Authority’s seventh Free Ride Home program offered New Year’s Eve served 14 people over a six-hour period this year. The figure is the lowest since the Three Rivers-based agency started the program in 2008, on the eve of 2009. As it has since its inception, Free Ride Home started at 10 p.m. Dec. 31 and …

A Missouri-based company was chosen to conduct feasibility-study services regarding potential improvements and renovations to the county jail. Commissioners Dec. 15 selected Goldberg Group Architects of St. Joseph, Mo., at a cost of $5,000, plus potential reimbursable expenses. County administrator Pat Yoder said the study is being done as a proactive measure, based in large part on conversations he has …

Two Branch County residents were charged with sex crimes from incidents that date to 2006. Michigan State Police said the victim, a 22-year-old Mishawaka resident, disclosed she had been allegedly sexually assaulted multiple times by David Green, 44, of Coldwater. The victim told investigators that Green took nude photographs of her starting in 2006 and that their relationship included intercourse. …

Five personnel matters were approved by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Dec. 15. Custodian Tara Lafler’s employment status was changed from part time to full time, while Benjamin Brandenburg was made a full-time employee at the sheriff’s department as a road patrol officer at a pay rate of $21.52 an hour. The resignation of Commission On Aging in-home …