County Information

Glen Oaks Community College President David Devier received a positive evaluation Wednesday from members of the college’s board of trustees. According to a school media release, board members met in closed session to review a recently completed performance evaluation of Devier. Utilizing a five-point system, Devier received an overall grade of 4.18. He was evaluated in six broad categories of …

A 44-year-old Dowagiac man was arraigned Wednesday on charges of murder and assault with intent to commit murder following an incident Tuesday night in Cass County. According to Sheriff Joe Underwood, Terry Ray Stineback was arrested shortly after police arrived to the scene of the shooting, a location on Flanders Street in Wayne Township. Upon investigation, police found Stineback allegedly …

Sturgis has been selected as one of two Michigan cities to host the 2015 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities conference, hosted by Michigan State University Extension. The CEC conference is aimed at people interested in fostering entrepreneurial spirit in their communities. Attendees share ideas and learn from others ways to make their communities more entrepreneurial friendly, according to city manager Mike Hughes. …

Glen Oaks Community College presented a number of faculty awards during its 47th graduation ceremony last week. The Distinguished Alumni Award was given to Terry Conklin of Burr Oak. Conklin attended Glen Oaks, part-time, for several years, working his way through while playing baseball, golf and track. Conklin completed his bachelor’s degree at Grand Valley State University then began his …

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 …