County Information

Discussions regarding a potential sidewalk snow-removal ordinance in Three Rivers began Tuesday, when the Three Rivers City Commission explored the issue. Mayor Tom Lowry said a final proposed ordinance could be several meetings away, but he said hearing that children are walking in the street to and from school because sidewalks are not shoveled by adjacent property owners is alarming. …

Sturgis police were called at noon Tuesday to Oaklawn Park in response to a report of a man in possession of a firearm inside a parked vehicle. The first team of officers to arrive to the city-owned park found that the 28-year-old man had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The city of Three Rivers has granted an Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption for W.E. Slitt Sheet and Co. During Tuesday’s meeting, the city commission agreed to the 12-year abatement for personal-property improvements in excess of $467,000. As a result, the Jefferson Street company expects to retain 28 jobs and create one new position. A company official said the majority of …

Three Rivers Health has announced its White Pigeon Family Care Center has opened. The Care Center, located at 601 E. Chicago Road, will be the site of an open house noon to 2 p.m. Saturday. Tours, an opportunity to meet personnel and a drawing for a HealthTRAC membership will be available. CEO William Russell said Three Rivers Health is pleased …

St. Joseph County Sheriff Brad Balk offered a round of thanks to residents, road commission employees, E-911 Central Dispatch workers and county employees for their part in the pair of January snowstorms. Addressing the county’s board of commissioners Tuesday, Balk said cooperation from residents who abided by the snow emergency request to stay off the roads allowed road commission workers …

A 33-year-old Constantine man suffered injuries as the result of a firearm malfunction last week. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s office said the man was shooting target practice at 4:30 p.m. Friday in the 53000 block of Olney Road in Leonidas Township. A malfunction resulted in injury to his right hand and a wound to his chest. He was treated …

A drill, hammer and socket set, and other tools were stolen from a shed in Fabius Township over the weekend. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the incident occurred in the 12000 block of Dutch Settlement Road. The victim said the incident took place between 9 p.m. Saturday and 5 a.m. Sunday.

Officials from the city of Sturgis wish to pass along that due to the recent inclement weather, utility bills will be estimated for the month of January. Bills for water, sewer and electric will be estimated based on past usage. When meters are read this month, the difference between estimated bill and actual usage will be included in the February …

The December unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased by one-tenth of a percent compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 7.3 percent December unemployment rate was more than November’s 7.2 percent. December’s unemployment rate was three-tenths of a percent less than the same month …

A 41-year-old man from Niles was arrested last week, following an incident of aggravated domestic violence in Florence Township. State police said the man was involved in an incident with a 47-year-old Three Rivers woman at a residence on Constantine Road. The suspect had fled the scene prior to police arrival, but was located a short distance away. The man, …