Establishment of a revolving-loan fund and the hiring of a new administrator were two major accomplishments by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this year, its chairman said. John Dobberteen, a Sturgis resident completing his 15th year as a commissioner, said 2013 was a step forward for St. Joseph County government thanks to the creation of the fund and …

Members of the Marine Corps League 1401 of St. Joseph County said the Sturgis distribution of toys by the Salvation Army was a success. The event began Wednesday at the Sturgis Armory and included toys picked up from Toys for Tots. The local Salvation Army leader for the event said 300 families with 700 children collectively were helped by the …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners has agreed to renew its funding to continue its partnership with MSU Extension for 2014. During last week’s county commission meeting, commissioners agreed to allocate nearly $133,000 for the service. The funding covers salaries and services provided by one full-time and three part-time employees. In addition, the county will continue to provide telephone services …

The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging wishes to remind residents that a survey geared toward the population in the northern region of the county has gone live. As a way to gauge feedback from residents 55 years of age and older, the agency has produced 20,000 copies of the survey. The questionnaires may be found in government buildings, libraries, …

The Sturgis Fire Department was dispatched to an apartment complex fire shortly after 5:30 Sunday morning at Gateway Village. Upon arrival of police and fire personnel, they were advised that an infant was still in the apartment. The 11-month-old girl was rescued, and was later pronounced dead at Sturgis Hospital. The fire reportedly started in the parent’s bedroom who awoke …

Ethel Mae Ruggles, age 92, of Constantine, passed away December 21st, 2013 at her home. She was born in Constantine, on September 26, 1921, a daughter of Sam and Hazel (Rangler) Whitmore. Ethel graduated from Constantine High School in 1939. On January 26, 1946 Ethel married Harold A. Ruggles in Constantine. She worked as a secretary at Constantine Creamery and …

John Edward Dudd, age 83, of Three Rivers, passed away on December 20, 2013 surrounded by loving family. He was born May 6, 1930 in Three Rivers, the second son of Clarence Merton Dudd and Lillian Ruth (Shafer) Dudd. His early boyhood was spent on their farm on Corey Lake in Fabius Township as well as in Three Rivers. His …

Thomas Rissman, 66, of Bronson, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013, at University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 27, 2013, at St. Mary of Assumption Church in Bronson, with Pastor Terry Siler and Steven Ivaska officiating. Interment will follow at Bronson Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. …

The fourth White Pigeon snowman-building event is underway. Event coordinator Shireen Cline said she is encouraging residents in the 49099 ZIP code to build as many snowmen as possible and contact her with details about the competition. Cline said with warmer weather in the forecast, now would be a good time for prospective participants to make their snowman. Prizes for …

Members of the Colon Community Schools Board of Education awoke extra early Thursday to thank its staff members. A breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage and fresh fruit was offered to the district’s staff members. Prepared by food-service director Barb Yearling and her staff, the breakfast was made to feed 110 people, though only about three quarters of that many people …