County Information

Two semi-tractor trailers collided late Monday at the intersection of U.S. 131 and U.S. 12 in White Pigeon. Michigan State Police said Thomas Kruzel, 54, of Niles, was driving east on U.S. 12 and began to make a left turn onto U.S. 131 when his truck struck a northbound semi driven by James Sheets, 61, of Roanoke, Ind. Sheets failed …

Longtime local volunteer, George Cole, died Monday evening at Three Rivers Health, following a brief illness. Cole, age 88, served the community in a variety of activities, including a 17 year term as secretary of UAW Local 1253 and a 68 year membership in Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3019. He also served as an active participant in local American …

A Three Rivers man suspected of committing criminal sexual acts with children at his girlfriend’s daycare center was arraigned Tuesday in St. Joseph County District Court. Cary Jones, 46, faces nine counts of child criminal sexual conduct. Jones is suspected of the alleged crimes that allegedly took place at the Abracadabra childcare center beginning in 2011 until last month. Jones …

The City of Sturgis Department of Public Services is asking residents to be conscious of freezing water lines. With the cold temperatures and the depth of the frost, the risk of frozen water lines is extremely great. It is recommended that residents allow a slow stream of water to run from a single faucet. Anyone whose residence has frozen water …

Joseph “Jody” Hughes III of Colon and Marty Mullendore of Three Rivers have been named St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department “Employees of the Year.” The accolade was announced by Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite. The panel that makes the recommendations is comprised of four road patrol sergeants and four corrections unit sergeants. The nominees are chosen from the pool of employee-of-the-month recipients …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners will field six matters of new business this afternoon. The agenda for today’s 5 o’clock meeting features a public hearing regarding the potential adoption of the river trail master plan, a resolution to amend the county’s 9-1-1 service plan, a request to fill a part-time clerk position and a request for the use …

A team of about 30 people last weekend helped raise about $7,000 for an agency that benefits a number of local residents. Saturday’s Nancy Percival 30th Annual Walk For Warmth event took place in Three Rivers. The one-mile walk helped generate funds to be distributed by Community Action. Last year, the event assisted 23 households with utility bills. Community Action …

The St. Joseph County veterans services office is relocating from Annex II to the first floor of the historic courthouse in Centreville. The move is expected to be complete by the end of the day today. Stoney Summey, newly named director of veterans affairs and community outreach, also will be at that location.

Sturgis High School senior Cleanna Crabill was chosen as one of 16,000 academically talented students nationwide as a semifinalist for the National Merit Scholarship Program. In order to qualify as a semifinalist, Crabill participated in the 2013 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which serves as an initial screen for program entrants. Her scores have placed her in the nationwide …

Moving forward at a pace quicker than expected, a panel assembled to interview finalists for the appointed position of clerk and register of deeds will interview two finalists this week. St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman said Tabitha Wedge and Lindsay Oswald will return for second interviews Tuesday after they were a slate of five interviewed last week. …