County Information

Three Rivers officials have announced the city has received a substantial grant from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The $2 million gift was awarded through the agency’s Stormwater, Asset Management and Wastewater grant. Municipal officials said the money will help the city assess, map and clean its storm and sanitary sewer systems. The funds can also be used to …

Michigan State Police troopers responded last week to a breaking-and-entering incident at a residence in Sturgis Township. Troopers were called Oct. 9 to the 69000 block of Elaine Drive. The victim told police the incident likely occurred around 3 a.m. and entered through the back entrance of the residence. A small safe and a laptop computer were reported stolen.

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an incident in Sherman Township where a number of cows were shot and killed. Sometime between Saturday and Monday, the suspect or suspects shot several cows in the 27000 block of Banker Street. Additional information was not available, as the incident remains under investigation.

Motorists who travel U.S. 131 into the Kalamazoo area are being advised of a notable road project starting next week that will result in the full closure of a section of the highway. The Michigan Department of Transportation announced the railroad crossing at the south end of the village of Schoolcraft will be closed for up to three weeks beginning …

A pontoon boat was reported stolen last weekend from a Lockport Township location. State police said the incident occurred between noon Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday in the 17000 block of South River Road. The boat is a 1989 Ensign, 20 feet in length and includes a 25 horsepower Johnson motor.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a missing-person report in the village of Vandalia. Ramona Huffman, 48, was last seen shortly after 9 o’clock Tuesday night, when she left her home to walk to a nearby gas station. Her family attempted for several hours to find her before calling police. Huffman is 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs …

A step toward a resolution in Three Rivers’ attempt to annex an 80-acre parcel from Lockport Township was taken Wednesday during a proceeding before members of a state panel. A recommending body comprised of State Boundary Commission staff and the office of the state’s Attorney General, concurred that the annexation petition filed by the city is legally sufficient. Its recommendation …

A vehicle and an assortment of tools were stolen earlier this week from a Constantine residence. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the victim reported that a 2000 Dodge Ram was stolen from the driveway. In addition, three chainsaws and two nail guns were taken from inside the homeowner’s garage. The incident occurred between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 4:45 …

A former Constantine girls’ basketball coach has been charged with embezzling more than $11,000 from a non-profit organization. Joseph Stacey was arrested Oct. 4 and arraigned. He was freed on a $15,000 personal recognizance bond. Stacey allegedly embezzled $11,060 between May 2012 and November 2015. According to an affidavit of probable cause, Stacey opened a checking account in May 2012 …

The St. Joseph County Transportation Authority saw a decrease of more than 3 percent in its ridership last fiscal year compared to the previous 12-month period. The Three Rivers-based agency closed the books on its 2015-16 fiscal year Sept. 30. It provided 94,435 rides during its 12-month fiscal year. That figure was down from 97,502 rides provided in the 2014-15 …