County Information

  Sturgis Public Schools was the recipient of a $37,000 gift from the estate of Winifred Chipman. The donation was made in 1994 and pledged at the time to the Sturgis Community Schools Council. The council no longer exists, so district officials agreed to have the money split three ways, with nearly $14,900 each going to Sturgis Public Schools and …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has issued a press release indicating a potential increase in reports of bedbugs. The agency said bedbugs typically attach themselves to luggage, clothing or other items, and the means of transportation help them travel from a warmer climate into a colder host site. Bedbugs are not known to carry diseases, but they can be …

Sheriff Brad Balk reports that the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department responded to a complaint of a breaking and entering of the Nottawa Township Library between 1 p.m. Sunday and 8.30 a.m. Monday. According to a department news release, suspects made entry from the rear of the building by smashing a window. Investigators found that a web camera and four …

The Three Rivers Fire Department is offering a limited number of seats to the public for its upcoming medical first-responder course. The class will meet 6 to 10 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, and at an unspecified time on an occasional Saturday at the station. Chief Dan Tomlinson said the course is a good public-service opportunity for people interested in pursuing …

Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners tonight have scheduled a public hearing on a tax-exemption request being made by American Axle Manufacturing. The company is seeking exemption status on nearly $83 million of a $102 million investment in machinery and building improvements being proposed at its Three Rivers plant. A 12-year exemption is being sought by American Axle, the …

St. Joseph County officials will have some decisions to make in the next two weeks regarding the county treasurer position. After their top choice for the post reconsidered the job and decided to continue working at his current place of employment, the duties were passed on to deputy treasurer Vicky Anders until a permanent treasurer was named. The position is …

Fire-protections service for the eastern half of Flowerfield Township will continue to be provided by the Fabius-Park Fire Department. Members of the department earlier this month agreed to a flat-rate deal with Flowerfield Township officials. The $18,000 annual rate will continue the agreement; the west side of Flowerfield Township receives its fire protection from the Marcellus Fire Department. Regarding concerns …

Municipal officials in Sturgis last week made a few modifications to the city’s policy regarding electrical shut-off procedures. City Manager Mike Hughes said the new policy will allow customers with a delinquent balance the option of entering a payment plan with the city. Also, a phone number where such a plan can be arranged will be clearly visible on an …

A potential wastewater-improvement project could be one of the recommendations from a company Sturgis municipal officials hired this week to map out a 20-year plan for their infrastructure service. City leaders on Wednesday voted to contract with engineering firm Fleis & VandenBrink to begin the city’s wastewater needs for the next 20 years. The $43,000 study will help city leaders …

The overnight snow that hit St. Joseph and other counties in Southwest Michigan prompted the city of Sturgis to issue a reminder about snow emergencies. A snow emergency in the city of Sturgis goes into effect when accumulation reaches four inches or more. During a snow emergency, no vehicles may be parked on city streets. The measure is put into …