County Information

Glen Oaks Community College has implemented its summer hours. The campus will be closed on Fridays through Aug. 8. Summer hours for campus offices are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Thursday for administrative offices; 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday for student services; 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday …

Sturgis resident Adam Parker has been awarded the Professor Emeritus B. Swartz Scholarship for Excellence in Mathematics. Parker recently graduated from Glen Oaks Community College with an Associate of Business degree and plans to begin classes at Grand Valley State University in the fall to complete his bachelor’s degree in accounting. The $ 1,000 scholarship is awarded to a Glen …

Unemployment in St. Joseph County was 1 percent lower in April compared to March. Figures from the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives show the county’s April unemployment figure was 5.5 percent, down from 6.5 percent in March. The 5.5 percent rate was also lower than the county’s 6.9 percent unemployment compared to the same month in 2013. …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District has announced its 2014 river cleanup schedule. Jen Miller, administrator of the Centreville-based agency, said there will be fewer cleanups this year, as eight per summer the past three summers seemed to limit the number of volunteers. The fourth season of the cleanup project starts Saturday on the Fawn River in White Pigeon Township, …

White Pigeon village officials have agreed to spend about $2,600 to replace damaged and faded street signs. During Wednesday’s village council meeting, the seven-member panel heard president Dan Czajkowski explain that many of the village’s signs are difficult to read because of their age and years-long effects of the elements. He said it is a matter of safety that the …

A world-record attempt will be made this summer in Colon. During the 2014 Abbottt’s Magic Get-Together in August, an attempt will be made to break the Guinness World record for most magicians in a single magic show. Colon resident Kelly Pucci, who is an organizer of the Aug. 6 attempt, said the current record is 106 magicians set by a …

A 33-year-old Traverse City man was charged with drug- and weapon-related offenses early Thursday in Sturgis. The man was arrested after the vehicle in which he was a passenger was stopped for an equipment violation shortly after 12:30 a.m. near the intersection of East West and Arden Park streets. Sturgis police said the man was found to be in possession …

An update on the 2014 White Pigeon Days community celebration was provided during Wednesday’s village council meeting. Representatives from the White Pigeon Days Committee said a permit for the parade on U.S. 12 has been secured and will take place on opening night, July 11. Other attractions include a dodge ball tournament, inflatable attractions for the kids, food and crafts …

Organizers of the eighth annual Palmer Lake Flotilla in Colon Township have announced details regarding this year’s event. The procession of boats begins at 6:30 p.m. July 5, starting from the Palmer Lake Launch near Burr Oak Road. The rain date is July 6. Organizer Tim Taylor said this year’s theme will be “Music.” In keeping with the theme, Taylor …

A formality approved Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners allows certain employees in about 12 different departments to work a four-day week. The memorandum of understanding between the county board and AFSCME general unit gives department heads the option of allowing their employees to work four, 10-hour days instead of five, eight-hour days. Human resources director Elishia …