County Information

Nearly two dozen Sturgis High School graduates-to-be were recipients of the Sturgis Area Community Foundation Scholarship Reception for 2013. The recent program featured scholarship recipients and representatives from the families who helped make the awards possible. Close to $110,000 was awarded to students in educational and camp scholarship awards. Since 1999, more than 650 students have received in excess of …

An 80-year-old Three Rivers man was not injured after the vehicle he was driving ended up in a creek Wednesday in Fabius Township The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Fred Soukup was driving west on Coon Hollow Road when he lost control of his vehicle around 5:30 p.m. and went off the roadway near Ferguson Road. Deputies said Soukup’s …

State Rep. Matt Lori played a role in a package of bills approved this week by the House Criminal Justice Committee. Three of the bills lower the blood-alcohol content level from the current 0.10 to 0.08 percent for operators of boats, off-road vehicles and snowmobiles. Lori’s portion of the bills is specific to watercraft. Meanwhile, Lori’s Crime Stoppers bill establishes …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency this week received reports of salmonella cases possibly linked to the handling of live baby chicks. The Coldwater-based agency said the situation should serve as a reminder that people who touch ducklings or chicks should wash your hands immediately afterward. Agency officials said live baby poultry may be put on display at stores where …

The city of Sturgis is continuing its brush pick-up through the end of the week. Department of Public Services crews started the process Monday from the north side of the city and are making their way to the south end. City officials ask that materials be neatly stacked on the terrace area, away from objects or obstructions such as power …

Items from a residence in Colon Township were stolen during a forced-entry break-in last week. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said deputies were called to the 32000 block of Decker Road, where jewelry and a number of other items were stolen. The victim told police the incident likely occurred between Thursday last week and this past Sunday.

Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that occurred last weekend in Leonidas Township. According to a department media release, a barn was entered by the suspect and cigarettes were stolen from a vehicle parked inside. The suspect was confronted by a resident and fled the area on foot, westbound toward Correll Road.

Officials from school districts in Three Rivers and White Pigeon saw non-homestead millage renewals pass with ease Tuesday. In Three Rivers, nearly two-thirds of the 612 participating voters OK’d an 18-mill renewal levied to the tax bills of commercial and non-homestead properties. The millage generates nearly $3.7 million annually and represents about 15 percent of the district’s annual budget. White …

Smoother roads will be appearing in Sturgis over the next decade, as voters Tuesday supported a 3-mill increase dedicated to street improvements and sidewalk repairs. The 10-year millage is expected to generate about $6.7 million in all, thanks to voter support of the proposal, which passed by a 3-to-2 margin. Mayor Ken Malone said the 3 mills will appear on …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners were asked Tuesday to consider providing financial support to help establish a new animal shelter. Proposed as a jointly run operation between the county and the newly formed River Country Humane Society, the potential facility is being eyed at the 12-acre location previously occupied by Finnerman’s Farm and Garden Equipment site …