County Information

Lloyd Kirby has announced he is retiring as superintendent of Colon Community Schools. Kirby, who has led the 650-student district for 19 years, said he and board of education president Ernie Baker talked about the matter last week and, according to Kirby, he and Baker agreed it was time for a change. A replacement for Kirby took up the balance …

A pair of St. Joseph County residents suggested Commissioner Don Eaton resign from the five-member county board. Fabius Township’s Rebecca Shank and Florence Township’s Tim Carls addressed the county board of commissioners Tuesday, and both indicated Eaton should consider relinquishing his post as Second District commissioner. Eaton, 52, is being investigated for a potential charge of possession of a firearm …

A retired Parchment School District administrator with professional ties to Three Rivers has been offered the job of superintendent and principal at Nottawa School. Nottawa Community School Board of Education members voted 4-to-1 Tuesday to offer the $41,000-a-year post to Ruth Rowe. Rowe, whose work history includes curriculum-related duties at Three Rivers Community Schools, would replace Marcia Griffin. The 69-year-old …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District is looking for volunteers to help with Saturday’s cleanup of the White Pigeon River in a section within Mottville Township. Starting at 10 a.m., the event is the sixth of seven river cleanups planned this summer by the Centreville-based agency. Event organizers are making an extraordinary effort to recruit volunteers, as the stretch of …

Motorists in Centreville Tuesday morning were in store for a treat, as the St. Joseph County United Way started its 2014 campaign with the annual Donut Drive. Executive director Kelly Hostetler said the donut drive also serves as a public thank you for the support provided to the Centreville-based agency. United Way volunteers will be in each of the county’s …

Officials from the Mendon Riverfest have announced the winners of Saturday’s third annual Tom Frisbie Memorial Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament. Bristol, Ind. resident Sharon Covello was the first-place winner. Finishing second and third were Jim Madden and John McClain. The three chose to split the pot and each took home $370. As first-place finisher, however, Covello was given a …

A 34-year-old Three Rivers woman was cited for disregarding a traffic signal following a two-vehicle crash last week in Three Rivers. Three Rivers police said Shannon Lemon was driving south on Elm Street at 7:12 a.m. Friday when she failed to stop at the intersection of Hoffman Street. Her vehicle struck an eastbound car driven by 61-year-old Kalamazoo resident Michael …

The windows of a car were smashed and its tires slashed during a dispute involving three people over the weekend in Sturgis. According to the Sturgis Police Department, officers were called at 5 a.m. Sunday to the 500 block of North Nottawa Street to what was described as the sound of gun shots. Upon arrival, officers found two males and …

A potential misdemeanor charge against St. Joseph County Commissioner Don Eaton will be decided by Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz. The neighboring county was chosen Friday by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office to review the case. Eaton is an elected official and, following protocol, the matter must be delegated outside the county he represents. The case against Eaton stems from …

Three area men face drug-related charges after a home in the 64000 block of Burr Oak Road was raided by police Wednesday in Burr Oak Township. Investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit located methamphetamine and evidence of the manufacturing of meth, according to a sheriff’s department media release. Police are pursuing charges of possession of meth, possession …