Helen Elizabeth McDowell, age 85, died Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014 in Sharpsville, IN following a long illness. She was born in Leonidas, MI on Sep. 7, 1929 the daughter of Oscar N. and Nora L. (Crogan) Johnson. She was married to Jack McDowell on June 7, 1947 in Vicksburg. Helen worked at Notre Dame and later at Essex Wire. She …

Barring any major modifications in the next week and a half, St. Joseph County’s board of commissioners is expected to approve a 2015 fiscal year budget of almost $16.5 million. The proposed budget is 11.6 percent less than the 2014 budget, which is about $18.6 million. Finance director Joni Smith said three requests were made for new personnel in 2015, …

Investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit, along with deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, executed a search warrant Thursday in the 25000 block of U.S. 12 in White Pigeon Township. Methamphetamine and components used in the manufacturing of meth were located throughout the interior of the residence. According to a department media release, a number …

Tree-lighting ceremonies and a holiday parade will take place this weekend in three different St. Joseph County communities. Officials from Colon Area Chamber of Commerce are staging the ninth annual “Christmas in Colon” from 5 to 8 tonight. A parade from Colon Elementary to Colon Community Park starts at 6 p.m. Meanwhile, the “Christmas in Constantine” celebration continues with its …

The Three Rivers Waste Water Treatment Plant has reported a foam-over event that occurred earlier this week. According to a department media release, the incident occurred at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. Plant officials immediately shut down the foam-generating equipment to halt the foam-over event. From the 200,000 gallons of biosolids within the tank, approximately 600 gallons of foam escaped from the …

Ruth Alice Liebenthal, age 90, of Three Rivers, passed away on Sunday, November 30, 2014 at Grace Riverview Manor of Three Rivers. She was born in Madison, WI on October 13, 1924 the daughter of William and Grace(Marks)Nott. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. Besides teaching Elementary Education, she taught English as a second language and homebound …

Hello. My name is Bailey and I am a female dilute calico cat, about 4 months old. My owner had allergies and couldn’t keep me. I am pretty scared here and would like someone to come and take me home. I warm up to people quickly and am very sweet and love to have you give me attention. I know …

Two Sturgis residents were airlifted to Bronson Hospital following a two-vehicle collision Tuesday morning in the village of Centreville. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said a vehicle driven by a 31-year-old Sturgis man was westbound on East Main Street when his vehicle crossed the centerline and into the path of an eastbound garbage truck at Industrial Drive. The incident …

Three Rivers Health has issued an update on its 2014 Lights of Love campaign. Event organizers said the campaign is doing well even though the $10,000 goal has not quite been reached. Lights of Love organizers are optimistic, however, that the goal will be realized. This year’s donations will used to purchase four Ambulatory Infusion Pumps – commonly known as …

Three personnel matters were approved during Tuesday’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting. Kelly Stapert has been hired as part-time Commission on Aging in-home services assistant at $11.79 an hour. Nancy Franovich has been hired as part-time Victim Services clerk at $11.73 an hour. In addition, Glenn Dane has been hired as Commission on Aging sub driver at $9.27 …