County Information

Seven contestants took part in Saturday’s third annual BBQ pork rib cook-off in Constantine. Offered by the Constantine Brainstormers and the village’s Downtown Development Authority, the cook-off featured a collection of serious and casual rib fans. Winner of the $150 top prize was Tim VanZile of Three Rivers. A second-place award of $100 went to Matt Ryan, while the $75 …

Officials from the Three Rivers Police Department have confirmed their investigation into a case of embezzlement from the Three Rivers Little League. The case centers on the former director of the 300-player league and an amount of money close to $20,000 that may have been improperly taken. Police became involved in the issue after a former board member and sponsor …

Two Sturgis men were arrested Tuesday and charged with methamphetamine-related offenses. Following up on a tip, members of the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit made the arrests at an apartment unit at a residence at 207 N. Prospect St. Information regarding the ages and identities of the men arrested was not referenced in a sheriff’s department news release. Investigators …

Cass County Sheriff Joseph Underwood Jr. reports said deputies handled a double-fatal traffic crash on Chapel Hill Street, just east of Baldwin Prarie Road at 9:14 p.m. Tuesday in Porter Township. Ross Gambill, 19 from Osceola, Ind., said that he and two friends were traveling east on Chapel Hill Street at a high rate of speed when the driver lost …

A projected decrease in student enrollment wasn’t as severe as White Pigeon Community Schools officials had expected. Members of the district’s board of education on Wednesday noted the district lost fewer than the 17 students for which it had budgeted. That and an increase of nine students overall from a year ago translates into about $120,000 for the district, Superintendent …

Branch County authorities late Thursday afternoon located a 10-year-old Coldwater-area boy who had been reported missing since earlier in the day. Limited details were available about the discovery of Chance Miller, who authorities described as having diminished capacity. Officials did note, however, that he is safe. He was reported missing after leaving his bus stop at 7:30 a.m. near Miller …

A 20-year veteran with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department was promoted to detective sergeant, a position that will put him at the head of a beefed-up, drug-investigation unit. Burr Oak resident Lonnie Palmer was promoted from the position of detective, according to Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite. Palmer’s focus will shift to the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit, which was …

The St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit arrested three people on methamphetamine-related charges Tuesday night in Three Rivers. Acting on a tip, investigators raided a house in the 400 block of North Main Street and arrested two men and one woman for possession of methamphetamine. Two of the three face additional charges of operating a meth lab and maintaining a …

Winners of the annual Scarecrow Fest, staged during Sunday’s Three Rivers Fall Color Tour, were announced this week by the St. Joseph County Parks and Recreation Department. A lower-than-usual number of entries took part in the event at Meyer Broadway Park, where nearly 150 votes were cast. Overall winner was Centreville’s Larry Brueck, who also claimed an award for scariest …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has set a time and date for a work session next week. Commissioners will meet at 4 p.m. Thursday at the county courthouse to discuss two matters. Chairman Rick Shaffer said time will be taken to discuss the impending vacancy of the county administrator’s position. Current administrator Judy West-Wing plans to retire in …