County Information

The Cass County Drug Enforcement Team made two arrests earlier this week in Marcellus. According to a sheriff’s department media release, the team executed a search warrant in the 200 block of East Dibble Street. Once entry was made, detectives located a marijuana-grow operation on the lower level of the residence. In a room on the upper level, detectives located …

Incumbents Rick Shaffer and Don Eaton will return for two more years to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Shaffer defeated Tim Carls with 61 percent of the vote total for the District 3 seat to the five-member commission, while Eaton claimed 56 percent of the vote in his victory over Jennifer Jones to represent the county’s District 2. …

The Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department is conducting an investigation into a one-car crash involving an off-duty Sturgis police officer. Investigators are awaiting toxicology reports before seeking charges against the officer. Sturgis Deputy Police Chief Dave Ives said he is aware of the investigation and that after a criminal investigation is concluded, Sturgis will conduct an internal investigation. The crash occurred …

The former administrative assistant of the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce has pled guilty to a charge of embezzlement. Deb Herring, 57, entered her plea last week in St. Joseph County Circuit Court. She was arrested in July and charged with stealing between $20,000 and $50,000 from the chamber over a seven-year period beginning in 2007. Dates for her …

Three of the four St. Joseph County-based high school football playoff teams bowed out over the weekend in pre-district action. A failed extra point doomed Three Rivers Friday, as the Wildcats fell to Vicksburg, 14-13, in Division 4 action. The game was marred by strong, cold winds that had a negative impact on both teams, according to coaches. On Saturday, …

State Rep. Matt Lori has announced a Michigan Strategic Fund grant that will enable a Sturgis auto-supply company to expand operations and create jobs. Lori said Summit Polymers Inc. will expand its existing operations in Sturgis, Portage and Vicksburg as a result of the $800,000 grant. The company plans to invest $7.3 million into the local economies and create 198 …

The St. Joseph County Farm Bureau staged its annual meeting last week at Sturges~ Young Auditorium. Several awards were presented and recognition given to a number of people. Taya Bower of Colon and David Miller of White Pigeon were recognized for attending the Michigan Farm Bureau Young People’s Citizenship Seminar. Mariah Schlabach of Sturgis received the St. Joseph County Farm …

ServPro of St. Joseph and Cass counties earlier this month conducted its second annual Smoke Detector giveaway, joining up with the Three Rivers Fire Department as part of the promotion. After handing out 75 detectors at last year’s event, the drive pushed past 350 detectors given out in a two-hour span. The giveaway coincided with Fire Prevention Week. ServPro owner …

Nominations are being accepted for the 2014-15 John E. Oster Award for outstanding teaching and exemplary community service by a Sturgis Public Schools teacher. The award is in honor of the late John E. Oster, a Sturgis attorney, who placed high value on education and community service. The award has been presented annually since the 1981-82 school year. In addition …

Sturgis Bank & Trust has developed a long-term lease for the 32-space parking lot behind its property, between South Nottawa and south Monroe streets, in Sturgis. The lease with the city of Sturgis has an initial term of 20 years that began Oct. 1, with the option to renew for three succeeding periods of 20 years. Rent will be $1 …