County Information

New Year’s Eve revelers in St. Joseph County will once again have the benefit of a free ride home at the end of the night. For the seventh time in eight years, the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority is providing free rides home, with pick-up and drop-off service anywhere in the county. CTA director Steve Yorks said the program costs …

The Michigan Tobacco Quitline is making it easier for Michigan residents to end tobacco use by offering free telephone coaching and nicotine-replacement therapy to all residents, regardless of insurance status. The free offer is running through the end of the day Thursday. The Michigan Tobacco Quitline provides services such as materials, text messaging, an online program and referral. The telephone …

State Rep. Aaron Miller invites residents to join him at office hours in Cass County next week. Miller will discuss state and local issues with residents of the 59th House District at the Broadway Café, 158 S. Broadway St. in downtown Cassopolis, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Monday. Miller said he is always eager to listen to what concerns and …

The case of a Three Rivers woman who allegedly stabbed a man Nov. 21 is expected to head to trial. During court action earlier this month, Cheri Sparks, 54, waived a preliminary examination. Consequently, the matter is moving forward to a trial at Circuit Court. Sparks is charged with assault with intent to murder following an incident involving a 51-year-old …

Final numbers are in, and a holiday food and toy drive in White Pigeon benefitted more than 50 area families. Thanks to drives staged on separate Saturdays, enough food and toys were dropped off at Wagoner’s and at Central Elementary School to benefit the large number of families. A check from the White Pigeon Firefighters Association provided the winning classrooms …

Various tools valued at nearly $2,000 were stolen last week from a pole barn in Constantine Township. State police were called Dec. 22 to the 62000 block of Beers Road after the owner noticed the items were taken overnight. A similar incident occurred a week earlier, the victim told authorities. A department media release did not indicate the manner in …

A gas station in Sherman Township was robbed Sunday night. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the suspect entered the Marathon station in the 64000 block of M-66 shortly before 11 p.m. and robbed an employee of an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect was described as a white man, approximately six feet tall, and wearing a white mask …

The village of Colon’s computer system was hacked at some point in the early morning hours Wednesday last week. Village president Tom Tenney said no personal information was compromised. Tenney said the email looked authentic and it indicated it was from the village of Colon. Tenney said when the email is opened, what looks to be the homepage for Google …

Members of the Constantine Village Council are studying a proposal to ban assault weapons. No mention was made at last week’s council meeting regarding a problem with such weapons within the village. Police chief Mark Honeysett said a memo regarding the matter was included in council packets for review at the request of village president Pat Weiss. Weiss was absent …

The city of Sturgis is considering a new contract with the Sturgis Neighborhood Association that will increase the city’s annual financial commitment to the housing non-profit by more than $35,000. City Manager Mike Hughes endorsed the new proposal, saying the local private, non-profit group provides valuable services that improve the city’s overall housing stock and bring abandoned properties back on …