County Information

Two people were arrested on drug-related offenses last week and face additional charges of mail theft. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said deputies spotted a vehicle at 3:15 p.m. Saturday parked along Mill Pond Road near Fawn River Road in White Pigeon Township. Investigators said a 23-year-old woman was seen burning mail. Meanwhile, deputies found she and her 24-year-old …

Sturgis city commissioners earlier this month reappointed five members to the city’s Building Authority Board for one-year terms. They are Julie Andrews, Dan Arney, Andy Boyd, Ned Heydlauff and Mike Wilson. In an unrelated matter of business, a report on expanding the city’s fiber optic capabilities resulted in no action. Commissioners, however, expressed an interest in exploring a proposal for …

Members from two area fire departments made Christmas brighter for some Three Rivers and area families last week. Personnel from Three Rivers and Fabius-Park departments Friday delivered gifts to families in the annual “Firefighters for Santa.” Beginning at 3 p.m., firefighters, with the help of Santa, delivered the presents in one- hour blocks. In addition, each of the 90 families …

St. Joseph County Animal Control recently received a new piece of agility equipment. The piece is a ring jump and was provided thanks to the Centreville Courageous K-9s 4- H Club. The ring jump is adjustable, and can be used for small and large dogs. St. Joseph County Animal Control supervisor Greg Musser thanked the club for its generosity and …

The St. Joseph County Parks and Recreation Department was selected as a recipient of a grant in excess of $100,000, issued by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. County grant writer James Hissong said a $46,300 grant through the MDNR Trust Fund program was confirmed for continued development of the county’s river trail network. In addition, a $62,500 grant through …

The St. Joseph County Transportation Authority announced this week it will once again offer its annual New Year’s Eve “Free Ride Home” next week. Steve Yorks, director of the Three Rivers-based agency, said sponsors are still being lined up but the free ride from and to any St. Joseph County location will start at 10 p.m. Dec. 31 and conclude …

A number of appointments and reappointments to various boards were made by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this week. The terms of Jeff Knautz and Steve Houts to the county’s parks and recreation commission were due to expire Dec. 31. Their terms were renewed Tuesday for three more years. Linda Leensvaart was reappointed to the St. Joseph County …

A two-story residence in Sturgis was destroyed by fire Thursday. Sturgis Fire Captain Cody Cripe said crews were called shortly before 6 a.m. to an address on Lakeview Avenue. The first-arriving unit reported a structure with heavy fire showing from the rear of the house. The fire was extending from the basement to the second floor, both interior and exterior. …

Sheriff’s officials responded to an attempted larceny from a motor vehicle early Wednesday in Leonidas Township. According to a department media release, a vehicle driven by a Union City man slid off Shannon Road, near Blossom Road, at 3:23 a.m. The victim was able to flag down a passing motorist, who provided a ride back to the Union City man’s …

St. Joseph County officials this week agreed to discontinue its relationship with a Jackson-based company for audit services. A request for services netted the lowest bid from Gabridge & Co. financial consultant of Grand Rapids for the annual task. Its bid was $76,000 total for a three-year period beginning in 2017. The county’s previous auditor, Rehmann financial consultant, submitted a …