County Information

The final public presentation of a non-motorized trailway master plan will be offered at 5:30 p.m. today at Sturgis Township Hall. The plan was developed in partnership between Sturgis, Fawn River, Sherman and Burr Oak townships, and the city of Sturgis, Sturgis Hospital, and the Sturgis Area Community Foundation. Centering on an abandoned railroad line from Sturgis to Coldwater, the …

Hundreds of people gathered Sunday evening at Constantine High School to salute the district’s 2012 football team. Despite falling short in their bid for the Division 6 state title Friday, the Falcons received a hero’s welcome at the community gathering. Coach Shawn Griffith and school personnel thanked the fans for their support and the team for its effort. Friday’s 37-27 …

The unveiling of a refurbished house for Chandler McBride, his mother and sister last week in Three Rivers received strong support from the community. The 18-year-old McBride, who was paralyzed from the neck down following a June diving accident, had been hospitalized since the incident before returning to Three Rivers early this month. McBride and his family stayed in a …

The city of Three Rivers and Three Rivers Community Schools have collaborated to develop a new traffic pattern at Andrews Elementary. City officials said the section of South Street, between Douglas and Grant avenues, is now one-way in an eastbound direction only. In addition, parking is allowed only on the stretch of South Street adjacent to the school. Also, there …

Municipal officials in Three Rivers have approved a plan that will see the city gain more than six acres of land. In exchange for deeding the 6.2-acre plot behind the city’s Department of Public Services facility, Three Rivers Health would benefit from having South Health Parkway included in the municipal street category. Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners last week instructed …

Flowerfield Township officials have agreed to renew the township’s contract with the Fabius-Park Townships Fire Department. During action last week, township officials agreed to the fixed-rate payment of $18,000 for service to the eastern half of the township through 2013. The township has a separate agreement with Marcellus for coverage on the western half of Flowerfield Township’s jurisdiction.

The Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education has pared its selection of firms to assist with finding a new superintendent. Following morning-long interviews Monday with four prospective search firms, board members agreed to consider either Michigan Leadership Institute or the Michigan Association of School Boards for the process. Current Superintendent Roger Rathburn has indicated he plans to retire after …

The purchase of a trained dog to be used for therapeutic and calming purposes is being considered by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. The potential action is based on an agreement with Linda Baker, victims’ rights coordinator who works for the county prosecutor’s office. Baker said three other counties in the state have dogs used for victims or …

The Michigan Department of Community Health has recognized the local health department for outstanding programming. The award, bestowed for the second consecutive year to the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, was given for the Healthy Beginnings nutrition program. Healthy Beginnings is an early childhood/parent education program applicable to soon-to-be mothers and parents with children 5 years and younger. A plaque …

A Nov. 5 motion related to a proposed senior center in Sturgis was rescinded Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. The action came after commissioners discussed the $10,000 they authorized earlier for legal fees and design costs relevant to the footprint of the proposed facility. Commissioners agreed their Nov. 5 action was done too hastily, and a …