County Information

The village of Centreville is looking for a new president to lead its village council. Barb Parker, a council member for 15 years – including the last seven as president – announced her resignation Monday. Parker said she was not planning to seek re-election later this year, but decided to resign for family and other reasons. Parker said she would …

Members of the Colon Downtown Development Authority are interested in learning more about a proposed Magic Walk of Fame. The proposed concept, which would be modeled after the star-studded sidewalk along Hollywood Boulevard, is being explored by Rick Fisher DDA chairman and magician who owns FAB Magic in downtown Colon. Fisher raised the idea at last month’s DDA meeting and …

Organizers of next month’s Three Rivers Water Festival parade wish to remind that the deadline for parade entrants is Friday. The parade’s theme is “Ahoy, TR,” with an emphasis on pirates, lakes and boating, event organizers said. Applications for prospective participants may be picked up at the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce. No late or day-of entries will be …

A 29-year-old Three Rivers woman was cited for speeding and driving with an expired license, following a single-vehicle accident at 2 a.m. Wednesday in Fabius Township. A media release from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department stated Jennifer Holmes drove off the roadway near Coon Hollow Road and Lakeshore Drive. Her vehicle struck a mailbox as the car left the …

Overwhelming support from voters in White Pigeon Township Tuesday helped carry a 3-mill renewal request sought by White Pigeon Community Schools. By a margin of 595 in favor to 271 opposed, the five-year renewal of a request originally approved in 2007 will generate about $5 million from 2013 through 2017 for the 780-student district. The district plans to continue thorough …

The Centreville Public Schools Board of Education took action Tuesday that will eliminate 2 1/2 teaching positions, two classroom aides and a bus driver in the 2012-13 academic year. The special meeting drew more than 40 people, including almost two dozen students who have banded together to support one of the teacher casualties, media specialist Meredith Bunning. A 310-signature petition …

Michigan State Police at White Pigeon are warning residents to be aware of a driveway-paving scam that was unsuccessfully executed recently in White Pigeon Township. Investigators said a group of workers claiming to have excess asphalt from another job use a high-pressure tactic in hopes of scamming thousands of dollars from unwitting victims. A phony estimate is presented to potential …

Sturgis municipal officials have decided to pay off a $648,000 loan five years earlier than scheduled in order to save money on interest charges. City Manager Mike Hughes said the early payoff means the city will save $31,700 in interest from its loan with Century Bank and Trust. The original agreement called for equal payments over a 15-year period, starting …

Manhole repairs to be performed by crews from the Michigan Department of Transportation Thursday will result in a lane closure in Three Rivers. MDOT said the closure will be on the southbound U.S. 131 Business Loop, between Hoffman and Adams streets. The agency anticipates the lane closures will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A Portage resident convicted of embezzling more than $100,000 from a local credit union was sentenced in St. Joseph County Circuit Court last week. Kristen Taft, 57, was sentenced to 12 months in jail and five years of probation. Judge Paul Stutesman said her jail sentence would be reduced if she is able to pay more than $160,000 in restitution, …