County Information

Six units of an apartment complex in Three Rivers were destroyed by fire Saturday morning. Three Rivers Fire Department officials said the blaze was reported before 10:30 a.m. at the Waterfront Apartments, in the 400 block of Thomas Street. Upon arrival, firefighters reported seeing flames coming from the upper level of the three-story apartment building. The incident remains under investigation, …

Here’s some road-construction information on two projects in St. Joseph County. The first matter comes from the Michigan Department of Transportation, which has announced a lane shift on M-86 at Industrial Drive in Centreville through 5 p.m. today. One lane will be open in each direction while crews make repairs to a water main. The other project involves the St. …

The inaugural Art on the Green art show Sunday at Klinger Lake Country Club was declared a success by event organizer Shireen Cline. The seven-hour show featured 29 artists from Michigan, Indiana and Illinois. The artwork included high-end pieces that wound up attracting a number of buyers, Cline said. Staged on the tee-area at the course driving range, Art on …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners had a special guest in attendance at its meeting Tuesday. Tim McGuire, executive director of the Michigan Association of Counties, was on hand for a portion of the meeting. McGuire said he tries to visit as many county commissions as possible and his schedule allowed for him to be in Centreville this week. …

The job of St. Joseph County Drain Commissioner is now a 40-hour-a-week position. Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved the increase from 28 hours weekly. Drain Commissioner Jeff Wenzel, who is being contested for the post in the November election, will see no pay raise, as his salary will remain $33,000 a year. Wenzel, …

A number of seasonal positions were filled Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. The St. Joseph County Sheriff Department’s marine patrol unit will have a roster of seven part-time employees, headed by Sgt. Jeff Terpenning. A Centreville High School teacher, Terpenning will be paid $17 an hour. Joining him as marine patrol officers will be Jaymes MacDonald, …

Investigators from the Sturgis Police Department have released the name of a local man who led officers on a two-state, high-speed chase last week. Sturgis resident Nelson L. Wooster, 34, was taken to the LaGrange County Jail after leading Sturgis Police on a high-speed chase the evening of May 29. Police attempted to stop Wooster near the intersection of Chicago …

The Three Rivers City Commission on Tuesday approved a $15,000 bid for a new mower and deck. The low bid was received from Three Rivers-based Fillmore Equipment. City officials said the majority of the cost will be covered by the municipality’s insurance company, as the previous mower caught fire and was damaged beyond repair.

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is teaming up with MSU Extension this summer to offer special classes that will help participants learn how to buy, clean, store and cook with fresh produce. Project FRESH is a program that makes fresh produce available to low income, nutritionally-at-risk women and children who participate in the Women, Infants and Children program. WIC …

Here’s a reminder that the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy is staging a grand-opening celebration of Spirit Springs Sanctuary. The event takes place 10 a.m. to noon Saturday along Dutch Settlement Road in Cass County’s Marcellus Township. The preserve features 124 acres of heavily rolling forest and high-quality wetlands. Organizers of the event promise said visitors will enjoy the public-use amenities …