County Information

Indiana Michigan Power has partnered with HomeServe USA to offer optional protection to I&M residential customers on external electric lines, HVAC systems, water and sewer/septic systems, and other home items not typically covered by basic homeowners insurance. The service plans available through HomeServe, a third-party provider of home-emergency repair-service-plan programs, are priced between $5 and $11 per month depending on …

A standalone garage was destroyed by fire last week in Lockport Township. Fire officials said the blaze was reported shortly before noon Friday at a residence on Schweitzer Road. Cause of the blaze remains under investigation. No injuries were reported and no other building was damaged.

Three Rivers officials are advising motorists to use caution around the intersection of South Main and Broadway streets, where a small sinkhole has been detected. Partial lane closures in the area will be in place until a repair has been completed and the area subject to repair is in a condition to handle traffic. Motorists who approach the area should …

The automotive-training program at Glen Oaks Community College has received accreditation by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, school officials announced this week. The program has been accredited in the areas of maintenance and light repair. Nationally accepted standards of excellence in areas such as instruction, facilities and equipment were used to achieve the recognition. Automotive Service Excellence is …

A piece of history has been returned to a historic schoolhouse now located in Burr Oak. The bell to Worden School, a former one-room schoolhouse, had been missing since it was stolen in 1974. Sturgis resident Sheldon Fieberkorn was instrumental in finding the bell and last month, it made its way back atop the school building. Fieberkorn said the family …

The Youth Advisory Council of the Sturgis Area Community Foundation recently awarded four grants. An amount of $12,500 went to the Children’s Trauma Assessment Group to provide immediate assessments for children in St. Joseph County who have been exposed to or experience trauma. Sturgis Youth and Family received $2,700 to support its 2015 Parenting Fair. Another $1,600 went to Campus …

St. Joseph County is seeking applicants for the position of county clerk. Pattie Bender, current clerk, will retire June 30 and Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman will appoint her successor. Any interested applicant can submit a resume to Circuit Court, Box 189, Centreville, or electronically to: griffink@stjosephcountymi.org. The deadline for applications is Feb. 12. Following that deadline, interviews will be …

Sturgis police officer Bryan Stuck avoided trial after entering a guilty plea on a lesser charge earlier this week. The 29-year-old Stuck, a Bronson resident, was scheduled for trial on charges of drunken driving and having a blood-alcohol content more than twice the legal limit. Stuck, however, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of misdemeanor operating a motor vehicle while …

State police have closed a Three Rivers daycare following claims of alleged sexual assaults. Investigators said the home-based daycare is under scrutiny after a number of victims have come forward since the investigation started last week. Lt. Chuck Christensen said police were made aware of the situation after a parent disclosed that their child made reference to sexual contact that …

An Elkhart-based RV and trailer company has chosen a location in the village of White Pigeon to expand its manufacturing operations. Forest River Manufacturing is launching new products and is expected to construct a three-building development to support its plans. The expansion, announced Tuesday by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, is projected to produce almost 400 new jobs over a …