County Information

Key staffing positions were filled Tuesday for the county-backed College Access Network. The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners hired Ann Happel, Brian McDaniel and Anita Schlabach as service providers for the countywide program. College Access Network stemmed from the Sturgis SUCCESS program, which helps students become better prepared for secondary education, whether it’s at the community college level, a …

The Sturgis firefighter charged with four counts of criminal sexual conduct has been dismissed from the department. Sturgis fire officials said Joshua Jason Snyder, 36, was separated from the department Friday following an internal investigation of the allegations. Fire officials said Snyder violated a number of the department’s general orders regarding personnel conduct. Snyder, who was with the department four …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a break-in at an area golf course and issuing a warning to its customers. According to sheriff’s officials, thieves took cash and personal checks from Pine View Golf Course between 2 a.m. Monday and 7 a.m. Tuesday. Access to the clubhouse was gained through a back door that was compromised with a …

A proposed recreation trail leading to Meyer Broadway Park in Fabius Township received a funding boost last week. The Three Rivers Area Community Foundation made a $50,000 donation Thursday to representatives from the River Country Recreational Authority. Authority member Lindsay Oswald said the foundation has agreed to contribute an additional $50,000 if the recreational authority is able to match that …

Here’s a reminder that the Three Rivers Department of Public Services begins its citywide hydrant flushing tonight. The flushing is expected to continue through the end of the month, weeknights from 11 until 5 o’clock the following morning. The department asks residents to please be aware that some rusty water may be experienced during the flushing period. Any prolonged problems …

The second of two meetings regarding a river trail master plan has been set for next week in Sturgis. Officials from St. Joe-based design firm Edgewater Resources, which staged the initial meeting Aug. 20 in Three Rivers, will seek public input on the master plan during a gathering at 7 p.m. Monday at the Doyle Center. The plan, proposed initially …

Public schools in St. Joseph County and the rest of Michigan begin the 2014-15 academic year today. In St. Joseph County, new superintendents can be found in Three Rivers and Colon, where Jean Logan and Vic Bugni, respectively, start the school year as leaders of their districts. Students in White Pigeon and Centreville will see the result of extensive work …

Investigators from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department wish to clarify that alleged sexual encounters between Sturgis firefighter Joshua Snyder and a then-15-year-old girl did not take place at a Sturgis school. Snyder was formally charged Wednesday with one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of third- degree CSC and two counts of fourth- degree CSC for a …

White Pigeon Community Schools has made official its short-term plan regarding the vacancy of its superintendent’s position. During Wednesday’s board of education meeting, district officials named high school principal Jon Keyer acting superintendent, while curriculum director Carrie Erlandson will assist by sharing duties equally, according to a motion approved by board members. Both Keyer and Erlandson have been with the …

Members of the Sturges-Young Auditorium board and Sturgis Council of the Arts board have voted to merge the two boards. The two boards approved the plan in July and the measure was solidified Wednesday, when the Sturgis City Commission approved the merger. The newly created Auditorium Board of Directors will consist of one city commissioner and a maximum of 22 …