County Information

Constantine Fire Chief Mike Haydon has received bids for a new fire department pumper-tanker. Haydon last week told village council members he has received bids of nearly $318,000 from Halt/Pierce Inc. and more than $285,000 from Rosenbauer for the purchase. Haydon said there is a 20- to 25-year life expectancy for the truck and its purchase comes with financing as …

Fair Housing Center of Southwest Michigan will not launch an investigation of Sturgis city zoning ordinances following the city’s rejection of a rental duplex for homeless individuals sought by Keystone Place. Bob Ells, executive director of the nine-county FHC, said FHC officials recently met with city representatives to review the Sturgis Planning Commission’s mid-March decision and FHC has no plans …

A Three Rivers Middle School faculty member was named the district’s 2015 Educator of the Year. During last week’s annual Senior Honors Night, Alicia Turner was announced as the recipient of the annual honor. Turner, a 10-year employee of the Three Rivers district, teaches middle school math. She previously was a fifth-grade teacher at Park Elementary. Committee members charged with …

A Mendon Township woman who heads the St. Joseph County Conservation District Board has called her four-day, 60-mile walk around St. Joseph County a success. Carol Higgins, who embarked Wednesday on the journey and finished Saturday at Colon Community Park, said she staged the event to bring awareness and potential funding to local conservation causes spearheaded by the Centreville-based agency. …

State police officials arrested a man connected to a case involving breaking-and-entering incidents and the theft of a motor vehicle in Leonidas Township. Troopers said breaking-and-entering incidents between midnight and 9 a.m. Saturday were reported in Branch County’s Sherwood Township as well as locations along Shorts Road and Factoryville Road in Leonidas Township. A minivan was reported stolen from one …

Pam Carrel, Glen Oaks Community College instructor of nursing, has been selected as the recipient of the 2015-16 E. J. Shaheen Teaching Excellence Award. Announcement of the award was made by school President David Devier during the 47th Glen Oaks graduation ceremony Friday. When Carrel enrolled at Glen Oaks Community College in 1978 she was set on becoming a marching …

Three World War II veterans from Southwest Michigan joined state Rep. Aaron Miller at the Capitol Thursday to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Allied victory in Europe. Miller invited the veterans and their families to join him and Brig. Gen. Len Isabelle at the Capitol, where they were introduced in the House and Senate chambers. Rep. Miller said he …

State game area managers with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources are seeking public input on several draft master plans for state game areas located in the southwestern region of the state, including one that straddles Cass and St. Joseph counties. Steve Chadwick, supervisor for the DNR Wildlife Division’s southwestern region, said the master plans are important in guiding habitat …

U.S. 131 between U.S. 12 and Dickenson Road was closed for about an hour Thursday after a semi-trailer caught fire. Around 7:45 a.m., a semi-truck hauling eggs was northbound on U.S. 131 when fire started in the trailer. The driver was able to disconnect from the trailer and drive a safe distance away. It appears the blaze started in the …

Forest River Manufacturing, a recreational-vehicle company, will break ground this week at its future Michigan site. The ceremony begins at 9 a.m. Wednesday, at 500 W. Chicago Road in White Pigeon. The Indiana-based company in January announced its intention to launch new products in White Pigeon in three newly constructed 100,000-square-foot facilities. Company officials estimate creation of close to 400 …