County Information

A hit-and-run crash shortly before 5 a.m. Monday in Sturgis Township is being investigated by the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department. Department officials said a midsize car of unknown make, model and color was westbound on U.S. 12, west of Shimmel Road, and side-swiped the victim’s vehicle. The suspect vehicle, which continued west on U.S.12, may have damage to the …

A 23-year-old Elkhart man was airlifted to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo after he was injured in a one-vehicle crash Sunday in Constantine Township. Investigators from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Bradley Owen was driving on North River Road when he drove off the roadway near Maple Road and his truck ran into a tree. Owen had to …

Members of the Animal Rescue Fund of St. Joseph County have announced the agency’s monthly meeting for April. The 7 p.m. meeting April 7 will take place at the St Joseph County Intermediate School District, south of Centreville. The agenda includes discussion about upcoming festival parades, fundraisers and new fundraising ideas. Spay and neuter, and food pantry information will also …

Mayor Tom Lowry and members of the Three Rivers City Commission have authorized an upgrade of residential water meters. City officials estimate more than 1,300 meters will be upgraded in order to make it easier to read water meters and quickly identify leaks. Between installation and materials, the measure will cost just under $330,000. The city has been budgeting for …

White Pigeon municipal officials have sold the former village office and adjacent parking lot. The deal was announced last week after the village had previously announced it was accepting bids for the building and property. Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene submitted a $14,000 bid for the parcel, at 118 S. Kalamazoo St. The church, which operates in a building just …

A 90-year-old White Pigeon man was issued a citation last week after he drove into a moving, horse-drawn buggy in White Pigeon Township. State police investigators said the man was driving east on Fawn River Road when he ran into the back of the buggy near the intersection of Aldrich Lake Road at 9:45 a.m. Friday. The 35-year-old driver of …

Only minor injuries were reported following a two-vehicle accident last week in Sturgis Township. A media release from the Michigan State Police stated 27-year-old Amanda Horning, of Sturgis, turned left in front of a westbound car on U.S. 12. The incident, which took place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, occurred in front of the Hillcrest Lounge. The 43-year-old driver of the …

Gary Wheeler, the president of Glen Oaks Community College since 2007, said he will not seek a new contract when his current agreement expires in two years. The 61-year-old Wheeler announced at Wednesday’s Glen Oaks Board of Trustees meeting he will retire after his contract ends at the end of June 2015. Wheeler’s request was approved by board members. Wheeler …

A meeting to discuss a “rail-to-trail” proposal between St. Joseph and Branch counties drew more than 100 people to Sturgis Tuesday. The majority of the crowd opposed the plan, which calls for utilizing a rail bed between Sturgis and Coldwater to promote walking, jogging and bicycling. Though a cost to develop the trail has not been set, its creation would …

Four awards were presented during Wednesday’s 65th St. Joseph County Conservation District annual meeting. A committee of Conservation District officials chose Mendon Township residents Roger and Ann Gentz as recipients of the Soil and Water Steward award. The couple last year was Environmentally Verified through the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program. Flowerfield Township farmer Mark Proxmire was presented the Livestock …