County Information

An annual fall event that typically draws participants from at least four states is set to take place again this weekend. The Three Rivers Area Fall Color Tour, a one-day event started in the 1950s, returns Sunday with 13 stops. Sponsored by the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce, the tour is a self-guided event in which participants are able …

The second phase of St. Joseph County’s river trails plan was approved by the county commission Tuesday. The step involves Sturgis-based eStudio Design. It will be responsible for expanding the website St. Joe H2O, which can be found through a link on the county’s homepage. The second phase will feature the expansion to include marketing information related to real estate, …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this week approved a $1-a-year lease with the village of Burr Oak regarding the use of its water tower space for the county’s E-911 Central Dispatch. Dennis Brandenburg, central dispatch director, said a receiving antenna will be placed on the tower to improve the quality of two-way communication between dispatchers and emergency personnel …

The 10th annual Project Connect community event takes place 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at Glen Oaks Community College. Organizers said Glen Oaks is a new location, which was necessary after outgrowing its previous space at Firm Foundation Ministries in Centreville. Project Connect is a one-stop clearinghouse for people who have needs ranging from employment and legal aide, to …

Three Rivers Public Library is looking for volunteers to participate in Saturday’s Garden Cleanup Day. Work will take place 2 to 4 p.m., and prospective participants are encouraged to bring their own gloves and garden tools. Event organizers said there are number of small jobs to tackle and the experience of a “green thumb” is not necessary to participate.

An agreement between the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, and police departments in Three Rivers and Sturgis will be in place three more years following action this week by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. According to terms of the agreement, the county will provide both departments $35,000 apiece annually. In return, both departments will make available to the …

St. Joseph County Circuit Court was the recipient of three grants that, combined, total nearly three-quarters of a million dollars. Judge Paul Stutesman said the grants are: $317,000 for the Swift and Sure Sanctions Probation Program; $80,000 for the Adult Drug Treatment Court; and $350,000 over three years from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. Stutesman said …

A pair of local township supervisors returned before the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Tuesday and asked its members to consider sparing funds for improvements to local roadways. Appearing with a pumpkin-shaped Halloween bucket modified as a collection vessel – with “Road Fund” printed on its side – Florence Township Supervisor Gordon Evilsizor said he is under the impression …

A celebration dinner to honor Colon’s Citizens of the Year is set to take place this weekend. A potluck dinner is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Colon United Methodist Church, where Joe and Paige Smolarz will be recognized for the accolade. Prospective participants are asked to bring a dish to pass. Meat and beverages will be …

Glen Oaks Community College officials said the school is experiencing a 2.7 percent increase in fall semester enrollment, turning the corner on a five-year downward trend. Glen Oaks president David Devier said the growth compared to fall a year ago is the first since 2009. He said the figure is a welcome change that comes as school officials have been …