The St. Joseph County Animal Control Department has been chosen to receive a $10,000 grant for spay and neuter services. In a correspondence to county commissioners last week, director Tom Miller said the service is performed before animals are adopted from the Centreville agency. Miller indicated he hopes the measure will help increase adoption rates at the shelter. By unanimous …

Three Rivers Community Schools has lost its director of operations, as Steve Lucas took a job with the Cass County Road Commission. Lucas will become managing director of the Cass County Road Commission. He is stepping into a job previously held by Christopher Bolt, who was splitting the task with St. Joseph County. A 20-year school district employee, Lucas’ last …

Several items of value were stolen from a Sturgis residence last week. State police said the incident occurred between 3 and 4:30 p.m. Thursday at a residence near the intersection of Vinewood and Lockwood streets. Access was gained through forced entry. On the same day, a breaking-and-entering incident took place between 6:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the 64000 block …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has reached an employment agreement with Lori Barczak to serve as juvenile day treatment supervisor. During action at last week’s commission meeting, the five-member panel OK’d the employment agreement, including a $41,000 annual salary plus benefits. Barczak’s hiring is under the condition of an at-will employee.

Rosemary (Young) Carter died May 11, 2014.  She was born to John and Irma (Garrett) Young in LaGrange, Indiana on January 14, 1940. Rosemary graduated from Sturgis High School in 1958 and worked at the Sturgis Public Library. On May 28, 1960 she married Richard “Dick” Carter at the Sturgis United Methodist Church. After they were married, she worked as …

Linda Gail Parker, age 63, of Constantine, passed away Thursday, May 8th, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka, IN. She was born in Elizabethton, TN on February 24, 1951, a daughter of Allen and Helen (White) Richardson. Linda graduated from Constantine High School 1969, and from Elkhart Beauty College in 1983. On July 19, 1969 she married Harry …

William C. Patterson, 74, of White Pigeon, died Friday, May 9, 2014 at his home following an extended illness. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Graveside services will be 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14 at the White Pigeon Township Cemetery. Arrangements by the Farrand Funeral Home in White Pigeon.

Raymond Lee Jacobs, 92, of Portage, MI, passed away Friday, May 9th, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo. He was born in Middlebury, IN on March 16, 1922, a son of William and Edith (Gray) Jacobs. On Dec. 31, 1941 he married Dorothy Gest in Napoleon, OH. She preceded him on October 8, 1996. Raymond served in the U.S. Army during …

Motor-vehicle offenses, including the number of drunken drivers, decreased in St. Joseph County last year compared to 2012. District Court Judge Jeff Middleton provided details during his annual report Tuesday before the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. His news, however, came with a caveat, as Middleton said he suspects the decrease was the result of fewer law-enforcement officials on …

State Rep. Matt Lori on Thursday commended House approval of a legislative package to fund repairs to Michigan’s transportation system. He called the action a good first step toward a sustainable solution. Lori voted in favor of the bills that will dedicate $450 million to help fix the state’s transportation system. The increased funding would go into effect in 2015. …