County Information

The Exchange Club of Sturgis held its 33rd annual youth awards program earlier this month at Sturges-Young Auditorium. Among those honored was Sturgis High School senior Sara Trine, who was named Exchange Club’s “Student of the Year.” She read from an essay she wrote about the topic of community service. Exchange Club of Sturgis also presented the 2017 Young Citizenship …

Two vehicles, a pair of trailers and a snowmobile were stolen over the weekend from Florence Township. State police said the incidents occurred between 8 p.m. Sunday and 8 a.m. Monday in the 65000 block of Engle Road. Two pickups, a 2006 Ford extended cab and a 2006 Ford single cab; a 1996 Classic enclosed trailer full of construction tools …

Rouch Off-Road, north of Sturgis in Sherman Township, has officially opened. About 300 vehicles were driven to the 90-acre property during the park’s grand opening earlier this month to take on challenges created by co-owners Ben and Jamey Rouch. The obstacles, created with excavation equipment, include a rock wall, water holes, sharp curves, steep hills and easier hills throughout the …

Monsanto’s community advisory, featuring Monsanto site manager Barry Meyer, and production leaders Derek Peterson and Michael Ochsner, earlier this month led a brainstorming session regarding Monsanto projects. The Monsanto plant, located in Constantine Township, has 128 drying bins and processed 2.6 million bushels of corn in 2016. Furthermore, it harvested 28,000 female acres with 80 corn hybrids, Meyer said. Future …

High school graduations in four of the county’s eight public school districts have taken place. Seniors in Burr Oak were graduated May 21, the first school to stage its commencement. Meanwhile, Centreville, White Pigeon and Constantine high schools held their ceremonies Friday last week. Colon High School’s graduation will be Friday, followed by Sturgis and Mendon high schools on Sunday. …

Members of the St. Joseph County Commission On Aging are beginning the process of considering the former Three Rivers Inn as its potential new headquarters. COA officials at Wednesday’s Advisory Board meeting went into closed session to discuss financial components and other matters related to the proposal. No action was taken after board members reconvened 30 minutes later. Board member …

Centreville High School hired a new football coach this week. During Monday’s board of education meeting, the district tapped Tyler Langs to replace Aaron Hartong. Hartong oversaw the team the past five seasons, leading Centreville to an 8-and-36 record during that span. Centreville athletic director Perry Baranic said Langs comes from a family with deep roots in prep football, as …

Three Rivers Community Schools is looking for a new principal for one of its elementary buildings. Board of education members accepted the resignation of Allison Taylor, who has served as principal at Hoppin Elementary since September. She has accepted a job with Portage Public Schools. Board members said the Hoppin position has been posted and they hope to fill the …

The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging has received an $8,000 grant from Meals on Wheels America, made possible through a donation from the Kellogg “25-Year Employees Fund.” For the third consecutive year, Meals on Wheels America partnered with the Kellogg 25-Year Employees Fund to distribute nutrition and capacity-building grants to organizations within a geographic proximity to a Kellogg facility. …

A 10-year member of the Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County Board has announced her resignation. A month after she was excluded from a closed-session discussion because she was attending the meeting via telephone, Three Rivers resident Rebecca Black said she is embarrassed by the current makeup of the board. Black said she has concerns …