County Information

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.

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said alcohol may have been a factor in a one-vehicle accident Monday at the border of Lockport and Florence townships. According to a department news release, 17-year-old Tyler Eley was driving east on Fairchild Road when he lost control of his vehicle, overcorrected and eventually flipped the car at the intersection of Klinger Lake …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department was called Sunday afternoon to Kline’s Resort in Mendon Township in response to a larceny incident. A number of fishing poles were taken from residents’ boats parked in the marina at the resort. The poles appear to have been taken sometime between 11 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners is expected to decide next week whether to support a funding request of about $6,000 for patrol of Cade Lake and Nottawa parks. During a special meeting Tuesday, the St. Joseph County Parks and Recreation Commission agreed to ask for the funding. The money would allow the sheriff’s department to dedicate a part-time …

The Three Rivers American Legion, Hice-Shutes Post 170, is staging a flag-retirement event at 4 p.m. Thursday in the post parking lot. Organized to coincide with Flag Day, the ceremonial flag-burning event will retire flags that are tattered, faded and no longer fit to be displayed in a dignified manner. Post 170 member Keith Clark said the legion has collected …