County Information

A Three Rivers-area man, informally known as “The Bicycle Man” died Tuesday after the bicycle he was riding was struck by a pickup Friday evening in Park Township. Bob Kellogg, 53, was commonly seen on the shoulders of U.S. 131, riding his bicycle, and collecting bottles and cans. Stan Brueck, who runs a Free Store in Three Rivers and found …

Members of St. Joseph County’s board of commissioners appear willing to bend their hiring-freeze directive to aid Family Court. During Wednesday’s executive committee meeting, commissioners heard Judge David Tomlinson explain a potential hardship with the impending retirement of Cathy Coleman. Coleman, whose job title is juvenile register, originally had planned to retire March 28 but has moved up the date …

The cause of a fire that destroyed a building Sunday night at Fiberglass Composites in Mottville still is undetermined. Investigators from the Michigan State Police were back at the scene Wednesday. Because of extensive damage from the blaze, however, a precise cause cannot be determined, officials said. Investigators said a witness told them the fire was first seen near an …

Monday’s four-hour open house related to the proposed solar-panel farm in Mendon Township drew more than 100 people and marked Geronimo Energy’s first public presentation related to the issue. A team of six representatives from the suburban Minneapolis company was on hand to discuss all aspects of the concept, including development, permitting, construction, project management and marketing. Geronimo Energy’s proposed …

A Mottville Township factory was heavily damaged following a fire that started Sunday night. Fire officials said personnel from nine departments were needed to battle the blaze at Fiberglass Composites on Union Street in Mottville. Authorities said a worker noticed overhead lights flickering around 6:30 p.m., and soon realized the building was ablaze. Firefighters arrived to found 75 percent the …

St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit members partnered with Michigan Department of Corrections parole and probation employees to conduct a “Night Hawk” operation that resulted in the arrest of 15 people Monday. The operation was conducted to verify compliance with terms of probation. All charges relate to distribution and use of methamphetamine and marijuana. In addition, several suspects had outstanding …

Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education has agreed to offer the position of interim superintendent to Rob Olsen. Current superintendent Tom Langdon announced more than a year ago he plans to retire at the end of March. During a Monday meeting, district officials concurred Olsen would be the best candidate for the three-month period ending June 30. Kerri Millett, Gwen …

The Three Rivers Fire Department is remembering a former chief whose leadership was recalled with high regard. Danny Cross served as chief from 1992 to 2008. He passed away Dec. 8 in Texas following a career that spanned four decades. The 68-year-old Cross was credited for his focus on improving the city’s ambulance service, helping bring the city’s current ladder …

Students in the welding program at Glen Oaks Community College are learning welding techniques on a new welding simulator thanks to the generosity of a $20,000 donation from Morgan Olson LLC. Through the use of the simulator, students virtually train with different types of welding on a computer screen before applying hands-on training in the school’s welding lab. Morgan Olson …

Glen Oaks Community College’s Board of Trustees voted Thursday to approve in-district tuition rates for all high school students, regardless of their residence. Glen Oaks president David Devier said the college has been approached by high schools outside its service area to offer dual-enrollment classes and the Early Middle College program. Those outlying areas include Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Branch and Elkhart …