County Information

Organizers of a benefit dance in Burr Oak over the weekend are calling the fundraiser a success, as more than 60 people attended Saturday’s event. Committee members for the Burr Oak Heritage Festival staged the dance. Proceeds will cover the fourth annual community celebration in St. Joseph County’s smallest community. The 2012 Burr Oak Heritage Festival is slated to take …

Three of six people involved in a single-vehicle accident Sunday on M-60 in Leonidas Township were treated for minor injuries. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Donald Korff II, 40, of Marcellus, was traveling east on M-60 when his van hit an icy patch in the roadway near Jacksonburg Road. The van spun out and crashed into a tree. …

A Sturgis-area resident who played a part in the arson that destroyed Welch’s Steak and Ribs three years ago was sentenced last week to two years in federal prison. Following proceedings at U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids, Jason Lumbard was sentenced Friday. The 29-year-old Howe, Ind., resident, who had close ties to Sturgis, was arrested, tried and convicted after …

A Constantine-area resident was sentenced to one year in jail and put on probation for three years for her role in the methamphetamine-related death of an Elkhart woman. Tammy Wisk, 47, was sentenced Friday by Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman. She was cooking meth in an outbuilding on Millers Mill Road with Trina Kyle in October 2010. The lab exploded …

Members of the Three Rivers City Commission last week discussed a few of their goals for 2012. The casual conversation revealed that more directional signs need to be placed around the city. Commissioner Daryl Griffith said so-called wayfinding signs to instruct motorists to key places in the city and fringe areas on its borders should be considered. In addition, Mayor …

An annual art show in White Pigeon will have a new name and location later this year. After three years at Wade Park, the Art in the Park event will take place at Klinger Lake Country Club for a one-day show June 10. Newly named Art on the Green, the showcase of 20 to 25 high-end artists is a move …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this week approved a request for use of its property for the annual Centreville Covered Bridge Days festival. From 10 a.m. June 22 to 6 p.m. June 23, use of the north area of the courthouse lawn will be turned over to committee members, who typically incorporate a variety of vendors into the …

A Three Rivers-based machine shop and its request for a 50-percent industrial facilities tax exemption will be at the center of a Feb. 21 public hearing. The 6 p.m. hearing for R & H Machine Products was set Tuesday by Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry and members of the city commission. If granted, the 12-year request would be applied to …

State Rep. Matt Lori has issued a statement on Gov. Rick Snyder’s budget message. The Constantine-area legislator said he is encouraged that Michigan is headed in the right direction, thanks in part to a series of difficult choices elected officials have made in the past year. Lori said legislators were fiscally responsible when finances were down, and they will continue …

Immunizations are expected to be administered today to as many as 90 students at Eastwood Elementary School following a confirmed case of whopping cough at the Sturgis Public Schools building. The fifth-grade student was diagnosed with whooping cough last week, prompting county health officials to review health records of students at the school. About 90 were found to be in …