County Information

State Rep. Aaron Miller participated Thursday in a Capitol news conference to reveal priorities for the current legislative session to foster job growth and strengthen Michigan’s economy. House Republican lawmakers outlined their top priorities as the 2015-16 legislative session got under way. Miller said the plan focuses on continuing the process of balancing the state budget early and eliminating bureaucratic …

Officials from Indiana Michigan Power have announced plans to add solar energy to the company’s generation fleet. The measure follows the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission’s approval of I&M’s plans for five solar facilities with a combined capacity of nearly 16 megawatts. Three of the facilities will be in the Michiana area, including two in St. Joseph County. Company officials said …

Sturgis resident David Ludders was honored by the Sturgis Exchange Club last month, when it conducted its 72nd annual Book Of Golden Deeds award ceremony at Sturges-Young Auditorium. Ludders was selected for the award in recognition of his volunteer efforts, especially his contributions at Camp Fort Hill. The award is the highest recognition given by the Exchange Club nationally and …

Members of the department responsible for clearing the roadways and making vehicular movement possible earlier this week were acknowledged Tuesday by Sheriff Brad Balk and members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. During the citizen comments portion of the commission meeting, Balk said communication between road commission manager Chris Minger, commission Chairman John Dobberteen, emergency management director Scott …

A Kalamazoo man was issued a traffic citation following a two-vehicle accident this week in Lockport Township. State police said 21-year-old James Matlock was driving south on U.S. 131 shortly after 10 a.m. Tuesday, when he turned left onto North Main Street in front of a northbound vehicle. The driver of the second vehicle, 58-year-old Joseph Mrocezk was unable to …

The Three Rivers DDA/Main Street Design Committee recently awarded two grants for signage improvements. Pin-Up Salon and Northside Beverage received the grants, which were made possible through the DDA’s rebate program. The program awards rebates to property and business owners who improve signage, awnings and/or painting. The rebates cover up to 25 percent of costs, with maximum amounts of $200 …

Voters in the Three Rivers Community Schools district will decide later this year whether to support a 1.95 mill, sinking-fund request. District officials on Monday agreed to put the measure before voters during the May 5 vote. If approved, the request would generate an estimated $9.9 million over its eight-year life. The proposal would cost the owner of a house …

St. Joseph County Sheriff Brad Balk said the department last month recognized a day designated for support of law enforcement nationwide. Jan. 9 was Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, an occasion endorsed by the Michigan Sheriff’s Association. Balk said the event was staged in conjunction with the group Concerns of Police Survivors. According to Balk, the event was created in response …

A Mendon High School junior was the recipient of a prestigious honor recently at the annual Winter Beef Classic in East Lansing. Ty Cool competed in the heifer showmanship event, along with showing his own stock in other classes. Cool received the Michigan Junior Livestock Society’s senior division Showman Award as well as the coveted Supreme Champion Heifer Showman. Staged …

Roger Bird has been named to Sturgis Area Community Foundation’s board of trustees. Bird, an attorney with the firm of Bird, Svendsen, Brothers & Scheske, has served as the city attorney for Sturgis since 1993. A longtime Sturgis resident, Bird has served many community organizations since moving to the city after graduation from law school. He currently serves as president …