County Information

The Fabius-Park Fire Department recently received an insurance check for nearly $89,000 after much of its equipment was deemed a loss from a Nov. 3 fire in Park Township. A chemical release at a site where barrels of highly corrosive chemicals were being stored resulted in contamination and the subsequent loss of nine air packs, nine sets of turnout gear, …

Three Rivers-based Riverside Health Clinic has expanded its services to Sturgis. The clinic, which specializes in treating patients with insufficient insurance coverage, is operating a dispensary site from the Grobheiser Building on the Sturgis Hospital campus. The location is open 12 to 3 p.m. the first Thursday of the month and dispenses medication to patients already registered through its main …

James Baker, director of the Three Rivers Clean Water Plant, said residents in the city’s Third District may experience strong, fowl odors emitting from the plant for the next two to seven days. Baker stated in a news release Tuesday that the start up of digesters at a reduced temperature will cause the spread of odors. The digesters have been …

A joint workshop staged Monday by board of education members from Mendon Community Schools and Centreville Public Schools was described by district officials as a meet-and-greet event. Rob Kuhlman, who serves as superintendent of both districts, said the Mendon board has two new members and Centreville three new members since he assumed the job prior to the start of the …

Nottawa Township’s Planning Commission on Tuesday accepted a partnership agreement with the Branch County Conservation District. Commission members acted on the Prairie River Watershed Planning Project, which ensures stewardship of the Prairie River and its tributaries. Nottawa Township’s Board of Trustees already endorsed the plan, which became official Tuesday with the signature of planning commission chairman Jerry Loudenslager. Rachel Smith, …

Glen Oaks Community College recently recognized 30 faculty members who observed milestone anniversaries for their years of employment at the Centreville-area college. Collectively, the group represented 330 years of employment at Glen Oaks. The most-senior employee recognized was library technician Judy Fetch, who has logged 30 years as a Glen Oaks employee. In addition three employees honored for 25 years …

Three people in a vehicle stopped Saturday in Florence Township were charged with various offenses by police. The stop took place near the intersection of Lutz and Featherstone roads, where a deputy from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department noticed a 1992 Oldsmobile had a defective brake light. The driver of the vehicle, a 44-year-old man from Three Rivers, was …

St. Joseph County’s November unemployment rate of 8.3 percent was its lowest in the first 11 months of 2011. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget Analysis report for November shows the county’s unemployment rate dropped from 8.9 percent in October. The analysis indicated retail sectors gearing up for seasonal end-of-the-year jobs played a significant role in the drop. …

Officers from the White Pigeon Police Department last week arrested a 20-year-old Detroit man who stole cell phones from separate residences while conducting door-to-door solicitations. Police said the man was among a group of three people Wednesday in White Pigeon attempting to peddle energy discounts through the company Just Energy. On two occasions when the man was allowed inside a …

It took fours days into the new year, but Sturgis Hospital’s first baby of 2012 was born last Wednesday. Alexah Stafford, the daughter of Three Rivers residents Bridget and Dustin Stafford, weighed in at 8 pounds, 11 ounces. They are Constantine High School graduates. Chance Ray Rhodes, the son of Paige Tice and Ethan Rhodes, was the first baby of …