County Information

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department has unveiled the newest addition to its marine patrol. Sheriff Brad Balk and Captain Jason Bingaman this week showed off its newest boat, a Boston Whaler that features a side-scan sonar device. Thanks to nearly $3,500 in donations, the department was able to purchase the boat and sonar unit. The boat was named “Daniella,” …

A dark-colored minivan is a clue investigators are using in hopes of catching the party responsible for the theft of copper wire from an irrigation system in Leonidas Township. Michigan State Police officials said about 1,200 feet of overhead irrigation wire was stolen between Aug. 2 and 5 from a field at the intersection of Shorts Road and M-60.

A listing of candidates for the Constantine Village Council contains inaccurate information on the St. Joseph County website. Constantine Township Clerk Marti Brown said she has been in touch with County Clerk Pattie Bender regarding the erroneous information. Bender is currently at the state’s county clerk’s convention and indicated the information on the website would be corrected by Monday. In …

Members of the St. Joseph County Community Corrections Advisory Board plan to maintain a strong focus on rehabilitating jail inmates charged with methamphetamine-related offenses. During their meeting last week, members of the 15-person committee said they intend to evaluate the success of a program called “Meth Men in Jail,” which is monitored by Spencer Price, substance abuse supervisor with the …

The Three Rivers Police Department was called over the weekend to a residence in the 700 block of Portage Avenue regarding a domestic situation. Three Rivers officials said a 911 call was received shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday regarding a distraught subject who potentially posed a threat to himself and others. Officers coaxed the man out of his house and …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is reviewing surveillance video for clues to help identify the culprits of a breaking-and-entering incident over the weekend in Nottawa. Sometime between midnight and 7:30 a.m. Sunday, a door at Sand Lake Party Store was pried open and the business was entered. A preliminary investigation shows an undisclosed amount of money and numerous packs …

Constantine Village Council member Cindy LaFleur has withdrawn her candidacy for re-election and chosen instead to seek a position with the Constantine Township Board of Trustees. County Clerk Pattie Bender said LaFleur had submitted petitions for both posts but, by law, would be eligible to represent only one entity. Late Friday, LaFleur made arrangements through Bender’s office to drop her …

Organizers of the 25th Mendon Riverfest, which concluded its three-day run Saturday, said the milestone anniversary was a success. Riverfest Committee chairman Roger Cupp said a strong crowd all day Saturday made up for smaller-than-usual attendance Thursday and Friday. Highlights Saturday included a canoe swamp, which drew eight teams and featured a $100 cash prize won by a three-member team …

One-hundred and forty-four participants raised about $8,600 during Saturday’s third annual Jonathan Edds Memorial 5K Run and Walk in White Pigeon. The event is staged in memory of the White Pigeon native who was killed during combat in Iraq in 2007. Merlin Miller of White Pigeon was the first participant to cross the finish line, while Megan Niblock of Constantine …

The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging’s Board of Directors has a pair of openings, following separate moves during its monthly meeting Wednesday. Lori Wright, who was tapped in June to head the board, submitted her letter of resignation, as announced by COA Director Lynn Coursey. According to Wright’s letter, her full-time job and a training commitment to the National …