County Information

A small-town holiday tradition returns this evening. Christmas in Colon takes place five to eight o’clock with a variety of events capped by a visit from Santa. Sponsored by the Colon Area Chamber of Commerce, Christmas in Colon includes a parade starting at 6 p.m. from Colon Elementary School to the community park. In all, 24 businesses will be open …

State police are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that took place at a Sturgis residence. According to a department media release, the break-in occurred between Nov. 30 and Dec. 2 in the 300 block of East South Street. Investigators said jewelry and weapons were reported stolen.

A labor agreement with the St. Joseph County Fraternal Order of Police corrections sergeants divisions was approved Tuesday by the county’s board of commissioners. The three-year agreement includes no pay raise in 2016, but a 2 percent increase in 2017 and again in 2018. Shift assignments will be made at the discretion of Sheriff Brad Balk and wage parity will …

A driver who police said fell asleep at the wheel caused a two-vehicle accident Thursday morning in Constantine Township. Sheriff’s deputies said a vehicle driven by a 20-year-old Constantine man was northbound on U.S. 131 when the vehicle drifted into the oncoming lane of traffic and struck a SUV driven by a 31-year-old Three Rivers man. The Constantine man, whose …

A representative from the St. Joseph County Economic Development Corporation shared with members of the county commission a number of success stories from 2015. Ken Jones, chairman of the EDC board, addressed commissioners Tuesday and labeled 2015 “a very good year” as he prefaced his annual report before the panel. He started by noting the agency conducted 230 consultations with …

St. Joseph County residents showed generosity last weekend toward a Christmas-related event spearheaded by the Michigan State Police. Several state police vehicles were filled to capacity with toys and non-perishable food items for the annual “Stuff a Blue Goose” campaign. Troopers from the White Pigeon detachment manned a vehicle at the Walmart locations in Sturgis and Three Rivers, marking the …

The Three Rivers Area Community Foundation awarded more than $16,000 to area non-profit organizations during the recently completed 2015 annual competitive grant cycle. Recipients are required to provide a 25 percent fund match to show commitment, vested interest and encourage community partnerships. The Three Rivers Food Site was awarded $8,000 to assist with providing area residents with basic and emergency …

The St. Joseph County United Way gave away approximately 60 Thanksgiving food baskets to local families in need. According to Kelly Hostetler, executive director for St. Joseph County United Way, the food giveaway started with a $500 donation from the Department of Health and Human Services board of directors. It then snowballed into $2,000 worth of food, she said, including …

St. Joseph County’s proposed 2016 fiscal year budget reflects a 2.3 percent decrease from its 2015 adjusted amended budget. In advance of the county’s new fiscal year starting Jan. 1, members of the county’s board of commissioners staged a public hearing Tuesday on the proposed $16.5 million general-fund budget. The proposed budget is less than the 2015 adjusted amended budget, …

Sturgis utility customers are receiving telephone calls from scam artists claiming to be from GenPower and Consumers Energy, stating they have been contracted by the city to collect for nonpayment, city officials said. The electric department has not contracted outside services from either company to collect non-payment. The city also would never request credit card payments over the phone, officials …