County Information

The village of Centreville is less than a month from starting up its own police department. After contracting law-enforcement service through the sheriff’s department for more than 20 years, the village has decided to run its own police force. Village president Jeff Johnson said interviews with chief candidates took place over the weekend. The village has allocated a $40,000 annual …

The city of Three Rivers is looking into whether it should establish an ordinance to regulate the growing number of collection boxes scattered throughout the city. Mayor Tom Lowry said he is concerned about the influx of containers, which seek donations ranging from books and shoes, to clothing. Lowry, who said he is in favor of an outright ban on …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week gave approval to fill a few open positions. A candidate for the job of deputy probate register will be pursued, as it was vacated due to the retirement of Bonnie Walter. Her last day of work was Friday. The vacant position of juvenile neglect/abuse specialist, which has been open for a …

The city of Three Rivers is making an appeal to the public for help in filling vacancies on a variety of commissions and boards. City officials said the Three Rivers planning commission, River Country Recreational Authority, local officers compensation commission, board of appeals, industrial development authority, brownfield redevelopment authority and board of review are all in need of one additional …

Colon resident Ron Carnell has announced the village will be the site of the 45th annual Michigan Magic Day in April. The International Brotherhood of Magicians Ring 386 in Colon will host the two-day gathering April 11 and 12, the first time the community will have hosted the annual event. Carnell said around 150 magicians from around the Midwest are …

Four manufacturing companies based in St. Joseph County are among the recipients of $235,000 in training grants. The Kalamazoo-St. Joseph Michigan Works announced this week that the Skilled Trades Training grants, funded by Michigan’s Workforce Development Agency, will assist with training for in-demand jobs. The St. Joseph County companies receiving grant money are Vaupell Midwest Molding and Tooling of Constantine; …

The seven-member Colon Village Council took a tour of the rebuilt Curly’s bar and restaurant following its meeting Tuesday. Though the eatery is a month from reopening following a March fire that destroyed the original Curly’s, the replacement is taking shape nicely, owners Dan and Kathy Earl said. Many of the kitchen appliances are in place, flooring has been installed, …

Applications for the 2014 Sturgis Area Community Foundation scholarship program are now being accepted. Seniors at Sturgis High School are eligible for consideration and may pick up an application at the guidance office. Scholarships opportunities are also available to seniors attending school in Centreville, Mendon, Colon, Constantine, White Pigeon and Burr Oak. Applications may be obtained online at sturgisfoundation.org. Applications …

State Rep. Matt Lori said he applauds Gov. Rick Snyder for continuing his emphasis on access to mental health services and improving the methods by which people who need attention may receive that treatment. In response to Snyder’s State of the State address Thursday, Lori said the Legislature has improved the state’s mental-health model during the past three years, and …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners agreed to keep its meetings at 5 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month. The matter was resolved during Tuesday’s meeting. The exceptions to the 2014 schedule are the first meetings in August and November, which will be moved one day earlier to not conflict with primary and general elections. On …