County Information

Sturgis police are investigating a vandalism incident that occurred over the weekend at Augspurger Tennis Courts. A department news release states sometime between 10:30 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday, someone spray-painted graffiti on two sides of a building as well as two hit-back walls. A tarp and other coverings were used to shield spray-painted profanity from the public’s view. …

A 27-year-old Three Rivers woman was taken to the St. Joseph County Jail after defying an officer’s request and attacking him. The Three Rivers Police Department said officers were responding to a noise complaint at a residence in the 1400 block of Fourth Street, when the woman was asked to not walk in the street and to use the sidewalk …

Three Rivers municipal officials on Monday issued a public thank-you to the city of Sturgis for its help with cleanup efforts from the 2012 Water Festival. According to a Three Rivers news release, after the city’s street sweeper failed to operate over the weekend, Three Rivers DPS crews turned to their counterparts in Sturgis for assistance. Sturgis sent its own …

The 56th Three Rivers Water Festival is in the books and event organizers are declaring the three-day celebration a success. Saturday’s car show, stage performance and fireworks display were met with large crowds, continuing the trend of strong audience participation that started with Thursday’s opening-night parade. A Friends of Scidmore Park fundraising event, “Kiss the Pig,” raised more than $4,000 …

The second “Generate Sturgis” event, where residents with unique and practical business ideas pitch their concepts to city officials, drew four contestants last week. After hearing each idea, judges award first- and second-place cash winnings. Marcia Drake received $1,250 for her concept of a business that makes gift baskets comprised of items purchased locally. Drake told judges that items in …

The Michigan House last week gave final approval to legislation known as “Dominick’s Law,” which will strengthen penalties for child abuse in Michigan and create penalties for a situation of abuse occurring in front of other people. The legislation, sponsored by state Reps. Matt Lori and Joseph Graves, are in memory of a 4-year old boy from the Flint area …

City officials in Sturgis this week agreed to keep the municipality’s operating millage at 10.0285 mills. The amount is the lowest in four decades and more than 1.8 mills under the maximum amount the city could levy. Commissioner Dave Smith said he is happy Sturgis taxpayers have an affordable operating millage to support, but he noted the city’s general fund …

Members of the Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education have expressed an interest in looking at consolidating business-office duties with other districts in the county. The concept is not unprecedented, as Mendon and Centreville school districts currently operate under a joint business office. Three Rivers Superintendent Roger Rathburn said potential retirements within the district in the next few years …

Three Rivers police said a man they were seeking for absconding on bond was taken into custody this week by officers in Detroit. Stanley Tucker, 44, was out of jail on bond when he allegedly shot his wife and two other people at a Detroit residence last month. He was wanted by police in Detroit on three counts of attempted …

Constantine Village Manager Mark Honeysett has returned to work following heart bypass surgery. Honeysett came back to work on a limited basis May 23 following the April procedure. During Honeysett’s absence, police chief Jim Bedell served as acting village manager.