County Information

The national Toys for Tots campaign is underway in St. Joseph County and is sponsored locally by the U.S. Marine Corps and St. Joseph County Marine Corps League Detachment 1401. With assistance from the Salvation Army, the Sturgis Armory and the Three Rivers Lions Club, the 2013 local drive has resulted in the placement of Toys for Tots boxes at …

A utility trailer was reported stolen within the past week from a Mottville Township residence. State police investigators said the 6-by-10-foot trailer was stolen between Nov. 21 and Tuesday from the 10000 block of Cecilia Avenue, state police said. The trailer is black, with a wood deck and aluminum fenders.

The Christmas season officially kicked off Friday in Three Rivers, as a crowd gathered for the annual tree-lighting ceremony. Staged in the downtown mural mall, the ceremony included music from the Three Rivers High School Aristocrats. It also marked the first of a three-day celebration in downtown Three Rivers, where the Riviera Theatre hosted events Saturday and Sunday. Cookie decorating …

A meeting for prospective volunteers in the 2014 Sturgis Relay For Life takes place at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Sturgis VFW. Volunteers for the American Cancer Society-sponsored event may be walkers, cancer survivors, caregivers, community leaders, or anyone wanting to make a difference, according to event organizers. In addition, volunteers will be asked to help organize and recruit …

The St. Joseph County Road Commission has announced it is returning to its winter hours starting next week. According to Julie Mayuiers, director of administration, the Centreville-based agency will be open for administrative purposes 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Its summer hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

A federal grant announced earlier this month will benefit St. Joseph County residents who are without insurance or considered underinsured. Officials from the Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County said the $812,000 award will fund the first 15 months of a new, county health center. An annual renewal of $650,000 will be made available in …

National Adoption Day was observed locally in St. Joseph County Tuesday, as Probate Court Judge David Tomlinson administered an adoption proceeding for a Three Rivers family. Taylor and Sara Tompkins, 12- and 8-year-old sisters, were made the legal children of Jessen and Brooke Tompkins. The public procedure marked the 14th year of acknowledging National Adoption Day locally. Tomlinson said the …

Adams Excavating will provide snow-removal and plowing services for St. Joseph County again this winter. The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week renewed a contract for the winter services at the courthouse parking lot, the parks building and animal-control parking lot, and the sheriff’s department/central dispatch parking lot. Scott Adams, a Centreville resident, will provide his services when …

The Three Rivers Area Community Foundation is thanking its contributors for a successful 2013 season. Melissa Bliss, foundation administrator, said nearly $46,000 was designated to 17 local organizations and charities thanks to the financial commitments from donors. Bliss said she encourages contributors to continue supporting the foundation in 2014, as the recipients help make Three Rivers a better community.

St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough has elected to not seek charges against the driver of a vehicle that killed a Sturgis man last month. McDonough said the accident – on Bogen Road, west of M-66 in Sturgis Township – was unquestionably a tragic event. However, McDonough added, circumstances in the case do not warrant authorization of charges at this …