County Information

Three Rivers Middle School last week won the 32nd annual St. Joseph County middle school quiz bowl. The competition took place at the St. Joseph County Intermediate School District. White Pigeon finished second and Sturgis placed third. Also participating at the quiz bowl were teams from Centreville, Colon, Constantine, Howardsville Christian, Mendon and Nottawa. Members of the Three Rivers team …

The Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce is reminding local groups, businesses and individuals that applications for a variety of events related to the 60th annual Three Rivers Water Festival are available on its website. Applications for the event’s arts and crafts vendors, commercial vendors, non-profit booths and sponsorship forms can be downloaded at the website: trchamber.com.

The final pieces of a 2012 sinking-fund millage renewal are falling into place in White Pigeon. Members of the school district’s board of education Wednesday approved what amounts to about $1.7 million worth of bids. Superintendent Jon Keyer said the action nearly exhausts $5 million from what was a five-year extension of a sinking-fund millage originally approved in 2007. The …

St. Joseph County’s emergency management director was given approval last week to attend a national conference this summer. The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners passed a motion to allow T.J. Baker to attend the 2016 National School Safety Conference in Orlando in late July. According to a memo from Baker to commissioners, the conference will focus on all aspects …

The St. Joseph County Road Commission repaired potholes in more than 800 miles of roads and removed snow from more than 1,000 miles of roadways in 2015. The information was presented last week to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners as part of the road commission’s annual report. Past board chairman John Bippus said other work completed last year …

The St. Joseph County Grange Fair plans to showcase local talent instead of a big-name act as part of its entertainment lineup at the 2016 event. Fair manager Bill Johnson said the new approach involves a partnership with the county’s eight incorporated communities and their respective summer festivals. He said the concept involves vocal performances at each of the county’s …

Meijer is announcing 280 job openings for its new supercenter in Sturgis. The company seeks candidates in all departments, as the store is scheduled to open this summer. Available positions include clerks, cake decorators, customer service, cashiers, receiving and meat cutters. Starting pay is based on experience level and specific skills. Potential candidates may begin the hiring process by applying online …

A residence in which nobody was home was heavily damaged by fire last week in Lockport Township. Three Rivers and Fabius-Park Township fire departments responded at 11:15 p.m. Friday to the 16000 block of Null Road after the blaze was reported by a passerby. First-arriving crews found the home engulfed in flames. Firefighters had the fire quickly under control and …

Here’s a reminder that St. Joseph County’s Parks and Recreation Department is staging a public-input session Thursday in Centreville. The agency is asking the public for input into the development of a master plan for a newly acquired piece of property on the St. Joseph River. Working in conjunction with the design firm Edgewater Resources of St. Joseph, the county …

State Rep. Aaron Miller hopes to encourage children to read as he makes several school visits to celebrate March is Reading Month. Miller, who taught school before becoming a lawmaker, will visit with classrooms at Eastside Elementary in Constantine; Andrews Elementary in Three Rivers; Centreville Elementary; Burr Oak Elementary; and Colon Elementary schools. Teachers or administrators who would like Miller …