County Information

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department has received a state grant to help promote traffic safety with the use of new and upgraded equipment. Sheriff Brad Balk said the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police recently awarded the grant as part of an Excellence in Traffic Safety award. A $3,000 grant from the Michigan Office of Highway Safety and Planning …

Fire crews from White Pigeon and Constantine responded Friday afternoon to Mottville Township, where an abandoned house was on fire. The residence, on Riverside Drive, was already partially collapsed. A cause of the fire has yet to be determined, but fire officials said embers from a nearby burning leaf pile could have triggered the blaze. The structure was completely destroyed.

The Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority has announced it was awarded a $750,000 grant for making handicap-accessible upgrades, and lighting and sidewalk improvements. Bestowed by Michigan Strategic Fund, the grant will cover a large portion of expenses related to making the Downtown Mural Mall ADA-compliant to ensure easy access between Railroad Drive and Main Street. Steps currently in place will …

The field of candidates expected to run for St. Joseph County Probate Court judge grew more crowded Thursday. Colon attorney David Tomlinson said he plans to seek the position currently occupied by Tom Shumaker, who plans to retire at the end of the year after serving for 24 years as judge. To date, the other potential candidates for the position …

St. Joseph County treasurer Judie Ratering announced Thursday she plans to seek the treasurer’s position for its full, four-year term in the November election. Ratering earlier this year was appointed to the post after Phyllis Bainbridge retired Jan. 31. The unexpired term left by Bainbridge concludes Dec. 31. Ratering, a 52-year-old Park Township resident, said she plans to file her …

Two weeks after announcing the closing of its Sturgis supermarket, officials from the Miller’s Super Valu grocery store chain said the store’s last day in business is Sunday. LaGrange, Ind.-based Miller’s said a shrinking customer base contributed to the end of its 30-plus years in business in Sturgis. A gas station and convenience store in an outlot outside the east …

The Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education plans to further investigate whether it wishes to make the length of a board member’s term six years instead of four. The option of six years over four was made available after the state last year revised board of education elections to November of every even-numbered year. Sturgis school officials recently initiated discussions …

A $3.5 million tax abatement for a building addition and equipment was expected to appear before the Sturgis City Commission. Sturgis Molded Products was scheduled to appear Wednesday night before municipal officials in hopes of gaining approval of the request. The company plans to invest $ 2.9 million in equipment and $600,000 in the proposed building addition. Company officials said …

A sophomore on the Mendon Lady Hornets basketball team received state recognition this week. Brooke Howard was named to the Class C all-state honorable mention squad, as announced by the Michigan Associated Press. A point guard, Howard stands 5-foot-10 and was a key member of the team that claimed its second consecutive St. Joseph Valley League crown in the 2011-12 …

Constantine Public Schools has announced the date for an annual faculty-versus-police benefit basketball game for a fifth-annual fund rais¬er. The game is at 7:30 p.m. March 23 at the Constantine High School gym. Proceeds go toward the Michigan Concerns of Police Sur¬vivors organization. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted at the door. A fundraiser bake sale also will …