County Information

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, …

Organizers of the 49th Mendon Dust-Off old-car show said Sunday’s annual event drew more than 900 participants and at least 2,000 spectators. Don Mourey, president of the Three Rivers Classic and Antique Restorers Club, said a combination of perfect weather and owners of old cars eager to show off their winter work for the inaugural car show of the season …

St. Joseph County saw a drop of four-tenths of a percent in its unemployment rate from February to March. According to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget Analysis, the county’s unemployment rate for March was 8.8 percent. The figure also marked a decrease from March 2011, when the county’s unemployment figure was an even 11 percent. St. Joseph …

The St. Joseph County Road Commission announced that it expects to finish work on one road project this morning and start repairs on another later this month. A job started Saturday at the railroad crossing on Muskrat Road, just east of U.S. 131 in Park Township, was slated to be finished this morning. Meanwhile, the commission said work will start …

Glen Oaks Community College graduated 225 students Friday, as the class of 2012, its family members and friends gathered in the school’s gymnasium for the ceremony. About 150 of the graduates participated in the commencement exercise, which was led by school president Gary Wheeler. Also addressing the standing-room-only crowd were faculty member Michael Northrop, alumni Bruce Gosling and student Lynn …