Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department are investigating a breaking and entering to a motor vehicle. The incident was reported shortly before 9 p.m. Monday in Colon Township, where entry was forced to a vehicle parked in front of a residence in the 60000 block of Lepley Road. Details about what was taken from the vehicle were not …

The Michigan House recently approved funding for Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund projects, including a pair of land-acquisition plans in Cass and St. Joseph counties. The Stewart Lake and Dowagiac Creek projects are among 69 land-acquisition and recreational-development projects totaling $24.7 million, according to state Rep. Aaron Miller. Miller said the local projects will be a boost to enthusiasts of …

The Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce has announced it will host a State of the Area address next week. Officials from five governmental entities will provide economic updates during the 90-minute program that begins at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Three Rivers Community Center. The agenda features Centreville DDA Director Carol Snow-Penn, Constantine Village Manager Mark Honeysett, Mendon Village …

Sorry for this late notice, but Valentine’s Day is this coming Saturday, February 14. It’s another one of those occasions when we let those we love know just how much they mean to us. We should do this every day, but especially on Valentine’s Day. The local merchants love Valentine’s Day. Eighteen billion dollars will be spent on gifts, and …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners last week approved a mediation agreement with a former employee. Without discussion, commissioners approved a motion that awards $150,000 to Anita Trayling, who previously served as an appraiser in the equalization department. County administrator Pat Yoder said Trayling’s position was dissolved in 2009. She subsequently took a temporary position with the prosecutor’s office but …

The St. Joseph County Road Commission was thwarted two weeks ago in an attempt to secure a loan from the county to help offset costs of building repairs and upgrades. Road Commission chair John Bippus appeared before the county executive committee to inquire about $1.5 million the road commission would like to borrow to conduct repairs at its headquarters west …

St. Joseph County officials recently received an update on the concept of a single entry to the county courthouse. The county’s physical resources committee last month was provided additional details from Bob VanPutten and Stave Jara, representing Landmark Design Group. A review was provided regarding the security officers’ station with monitors, while the two also indicated all exit doors will …

Last month’s massive 193-vehicle pileup on I-94 in Kalamazoo County is prompting an audit by the state. The Michigan Department of Transportation will study the 138-mile stretch of the highway from the Indiana state line to Jackson to see if any upgrades to I-94 are needed. The investigation was requested by state Senator Margaret O’Brien of Portage, whose district includes the crash …

Harold Clayton ( Tuffy) Abbs passed away Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis, Mich. He was born April 11, 1924, in Sturgis, the son of Theodore and Gertrude ( Adams) Abbs. He was one of 11 children — five brothers and five sisters. He married Isabelle King in 1951. She passed away on June 26, 1996. …

With nine snow days already in the books – three more than the state allows – Sturgis Public Schools will introduce a revised daily schedule that goes into effect next week. Every building in the district will add 20 minutes daily as a way of not extending the school year. Superintendent Tom Langdon said Michigan public schools are granted six …