County Information

Members of the Colon Community Schools Board of Education this month will debate the merits of a plan being pitched as a prospective money-maker for the district. The concept of owning a self-serve ice and water dispenser was discussed during the board’s May meeting. The device would be the first of its kind in Michigan and only the second in …

An additional use for a proposed, senior center has prompted Sturgis city commission to seek new maintenance assurances from St. Joseph County. County officials recently added a 1,100-square-foot adult day care space to the initial plan for the $2.6 million development, now called Community Enrichment Center. Plans show it added to the southwest corner of the proposed building that will …

Old National Bank closed its Constantine branch May 22, and donated the Wallace Norman Harvey and Jane Harvey Memorial Coin Collection to the village. It consists of coins in value of $1, $2.50, $5, $10 and $20, an 1862 dollar bill, Continental Army currency and a $300 bank note. ONB site manager Becky Foster presented the collection to village president …

Cash and jewelry were among the items taken from a residence during a breaking-and-entering incident that occurred last week in White Pigeon Township. Troopers from Michigan State Police were called to the 14000 block of U.S. 12, where a residence was burglarized between 5 a.m. May 21 and 9:30 p.m. May 22. Access was gained through a front door that …

The Centreville Public Schools Board of Education has agreed to offer Rob Kuhlman a one-year contract extension as superintendent. The decision was made Tuesday, when board members extended Kuhlman a salary of $80,200. With deferred compensation and cash in lieu of insurance, the district will pay $100,000 to retain Kuhlman for a sixth year in the 2015-16 academic year. Kuhlman’s …

State troopers found a bicycle not far from the Three Rivers Walmart in Fabius Township. The bicycle is a 20-inch BMX-style in decent condition. It was found around 6:30 p.m. May 20 in a field southwest of U.S. 131 and Coon Hollow Road.

Colon High School’s marching band will be sporting a fresh, new look in the fall. The combination of good timing and even better connections has helped the high school secure new band uniforms. Though the outfits are used, they are a major step up, according to principal Deb Swartz. Swartz said high school secretary Marianne Verner led the charge in …

Several Sturgis representatives and county commissioner Allen Balog said they won’t commit to a proposed new senior center until they see anticipated rent and operating costs for the $2.6 million site. During last week’s commission on aging meeting, Lynn Coursey, COA executive director, called it premature to discuss the rent St. Joseph County will charge the COA for the space …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is offering assistance with learning more about the facts related to arsenic and a home-water test. Arsenic is a natural-occurring element found in rocks and soil, and is used for a variety of purposes within industry and agriculture. It has no smell or taste in drinking water. According to Rebecca Burns, environmental health director …

A 68-year-old Coldwater man was hospitalized after the fishing boat he was in struck a pontoon boat last weekend in Sherman Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Larry Prince was operating a bass boat around 7:45 p.m. Saturday on Lake Templene. Prince was making a left turn and his watercraft struck a 24-foot pontoon boat that was turning …