County Information

A millage-increase request before voters in the Mendon Community Schools district is one step closer to reality. By unanimous vote Monday, board of education members approved a preliminary qualification application to the Michigan Department of Treasury. The action means the district is in the process of seeking approval from the state agency to issue state-qualified bonds. The district’s bond attorney, …

A chimney fire is being cited as the source of a blaze that destroyed a house in Mendon Township last week. Investigators said the conclusion was made after a closer look into the situation and its origin. The fire, which was reported at 11:30 a.m. Friday, destroyed a residence in the 53500 block of Nottawa Road. One occupant inside the …

The Big Lots store in Three Rivers will be closing shortly after the new year. Company officials said the retailer, at 1326 Broadway Street, will close Jan. 15, about a month after it begins its going-out-of-business sale. The seller of closeout and surplus merchandise moved to its current spot in 2005 from North Main Street in Three Rivers. It is …

All three area football teams bowed out of the state playoffs Saturday. In Division 8, Mendon was beaten at home for the second consecutive year by Muskegon Catholic Central. Saturday’s 28-to-12 loss ends the Hornets season at 11-and-1. Constantine, hoping to return to the Division 6 state championship game for the third time in three years, suffered a road loss …

Troopers from the White Pigeon state police detachment are investigating separate theft incidents reported earlier this month in Fabius and Mottville townships. In the first case, an 18-foot car-hauler trailer was stolen from a Fabius Township residence in the 14000 block of Gleason Road. The trailer was likely stolen between Oct. 30 and Nov. 1. Troopers were called last week …

Four Three Rivers residents were treated for injuries they suffered in a two-vehicle accident Saturday in Fabius Township. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, a vehicle driven by 19-year-old Samantha Jo Combs attempted to turn left off U.S. 131 and onto North Main Street into the path of a vehicle driven northbound on U.S. 131 by 52-year-old Karen …

A restructuring plan was announced Wednesday by Glen Oaks Community College officials, who said a loss in student enrollment and a drop in property taxes were major reasons the moves were necessary. Glen Oaks President Gary Wheeler said the position of director of academic services will be cut. Meanwhile, another administrative position will be eliminated by combining the roles of …

Saturday marked the inaugural ball for the St. Joseph County Marine Corps League, Detachment 1401. With the help of League 763 of Coldwater, the event drew about 80 participants, according to Bill Stevens, chaplain of the St. Joseph County detachment. The ball was staged to commemorate the anniversary of the 238-year anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Marines Corps …

Ken Malone and Robert Hile were re-appointed Monday as mayor and vice-mayor for the city of Sturgis. The action took place during the commission’s organizational meeting. In addition, Michael Austermann and Charles Huber were sworn in as city commissioners. Austermann ran unopposed last week for the Precinct 1 seat vacated by David Smith, who announced his retirement from the board …

A White Pigeon-area native was recently crowned Miss Indiana USA. Mekayla Diehl  won the Miss Indiana USA pageant last week in Indianapolis and in June will be one of 51 contestants vying for the crown of Miss USA. The 24-year-old Diehl is a native of Union and was graduated from White Pigeon High School in 2007. She is also an …