County Information

A 60-year-old Three Rivers man with previous drunken-driving violations was arrested this week after causing an accident in Lockport Township. Sheriff’s deputies were called at 5 p.m. Wednesday to the intersection of U.S. 131 and North Main Street. According to a department media release, the man turned left and into the path of a southbound vehicle driven by a 55-year-old …

St. Joseph County residents can once again dial 211 for various forms of assistance. The service was not in operation for a while but resumed Saturday, according to Kelly Hostetler, executive director of the St. Joseph County United Way. Hostetler said 211 is a free call for help, information and referral service. It is a central access point that people …

State Reps. Aaron Miller and Jim Tedder detailed their legislation to protect Michigan residents who play fantasy sports. The bills update state law to keep pace with evolving technology and maintain the legality of fantasy sports services such as FanDuel, DraftKings, Yahoo and others. Miller said Michigan residents already are playing these games, and he would like legislators to make …

Southern Michigan Bank and Trust officials wish to advise the public that the lobby of its office on U.S. 131 in Three Rivers is closed for renovations. Drive-thru lanes, however, will remain open during the anticipated three-month project. SMBT will be installing a deal drawer during this transition, giving business customers the ability to go through the inside lane and …

A priest who oversaw parishes in Colon and Bronson has been ordered to stand trial on charges of embezzling more than $100,000 in church funds. Court officials said Richard Fritz’ case has been bound over to St. Joseph County Circuit Court. Fritz, a priest in the Diocese of Kalamazoo for 35 years, was arraigned in April. He resigned last year …

Members of the Centreville Village Council will study the feasibility and cost of hiring a village manager. Council members last week agreed to talk to other communities served by a village manager to gauge their feelings about the position. Colon earlier this year became the latest local community to employ the services of a village manager. Trustee Gary McClain said …

Work on a portion of roadway considered the worst road in St. Joseph County started last week. St. Joseph County Road Commission Manager Chris Minger said crews from Michigan Paving and Materials of Kalamazoo started the task of reconstructing Constantine Road from the White Pigeon village limits north to an area about half a mile north of Stears Road. The …

Constantine Village Manager Mark Honeysett said the turnout for the inaugural Chief Jim Bedell Memorial Golf Fundraiser was remarkable. The golf outing, which took place June 10 at St. Joe Valley Golf Club, drew 18 teams, Honeysett said. More than 60 individuals and businesses provided support, with 42 sponsoring golf holes, he added. The $5,000 it raised was used to …

St. Joseph County commissioners recently approved an employee handbook revision. The amendment centers on adding new language regarding the issuance of county ID cards and proper use of the cards. The cards will feature the employee’s name, photo and department of employment. Each card will be programmed with a corresponding security zone. Employees will be given access to the courthouse …

Investigators from Michigan State Police and local fire agencies remain at the scene of a Mottville Township business to determine what caused a devastating blaze Monday. Crews were summoned around 4 p.m. to Green Stream recycling, in the 69000 block of M-103. In all, more than a dozen different departments responded and attempted to put out the blaze that burned …