In a housekeeping matter Wednesday, the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners agreed to keep its twice-a-month meetings at 5 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Also, executive committee meetings – during which matters on the county commission meeting agenda are discussed in detail – will remain at 8 a.m. the Friday before a county commission meeting. …

Herbert “Herb” Halley Maples, 84, of Three Rivers, formerly of Portage, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on Dec. 28, 2012. He was born on Oct. 26, 1928 in Long Island, N.Y., the son of the late Herbert J. and Florence (Pleus) Maples. Herb graduated from Bloomfield High School, New Jersey with the Class of …

Francua has a new home! Hi, I am Walter. I am a six year old Lab/Rott mix but I must have something else in me because I am not a very big boy. I know things like sit and shake and would love to learn more fun stuff to please my people. I need new people, someone who will always …

Sturgis resident and former mayor John Dobberteen was selected Wednesday to succeed Rick Shaffer as chairman of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. By unanimous vote, the 53-year-old Dobberteen was chosen to preside over the five-member board for 2013. As chairman, Dobberteen’s primary duty will require him to facilitate the board’s twice-a-month meetings. Dobberteen, a plumbing inspector, joined the …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a hit-and-run incident that took place early Sunday in Mendon Township. According to a department media release, a motorist heading north on Silver Street failed to stop at Michigan Avenue and struck a cement wall at the north end of the three-way intersection. The incident, which occurred around 1 a.m., damaged the …

A 31-year-old Coldwater man was pulled from a lake in Branch County after he fell through ice earlier this week. According to the Michigan State Police post in Coldwater, the victim fell through ice on Rose Lake around 10:45 a.m. Tuesday in Ovid Township. Quick-thinking residents created a rescue device, using a life preserver and marine rope, and the mechanism …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners has decided to not pursue a request by newly sworn-in District Court Judge Rob Pattison for new carpet in his office. Commissioners last month looked at three vendor quotes and reviewed the state of the current carpet. Ultimately, commissioners agreed the wear of the carpet in heavy foot-traffic areas was noticeable but no worse …

Sturgis Police were called to the 600-block of East West Street at 2am Thursday for a subject who had warrants and possible drug activity. When police arrived at the residence, the suspect fled the scene, running through several back yards. The subject was caught and began to fight with police. He was tased and placed into custody.

Phillip Edward Jacobs, 76, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Friday, Dec. 28, 2012. Phillip was born in Centreville on March 9, 1936 the son of Ernest W. and Edna (Cain) Jacobs. Phillip was a long time resident of Three Rivers. On Oct. 16, 1955 he married his loving wife, Peggy (Nisonger) …

Thirty-one rides were provided to New Year’s Eve revelers Monday and Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority, according to the agency’s director. Steve Yorks said 12 rides were provided from the Three Rivers-based bus and 19 from the vehicle serving the east half of the county, including the Sturgis area. The number of riders was slightly less than …