St Joseph County

The return of an admired former administrator to Mendon Community Schools was, by all appearances, a reunion the district and community were more than ready to embrace. And, for about 24 hours, the idea of Chuck Frisbie coming back to help lead the 580-student district looked like it was going to happen. Interim superintendent Roger Rathburn will stay on board …

Colon village council members last week discussed the unreliable state of village hall’s telephone system, while village president Diane Downs said the office also needs a computer dedicated to village-related business. A general, unassigned office that Down uses in the village office does not have a landline telephone nor does it have a computer. Downs said with a search underway …

A vacancy on the Three Rivers City Commission remains unfilled, as there were no applicants who filed for the partial-term seat before a Friday deadline last week. City officials said the seat was previously held by Diane Clay, who stepped down Dec. 20 in light of her move to another part of the community. The issue is likely to be …

St. Joseph County residents later this year will likely be asked to support a millage request sought by the county’s E-911 Central Dispatch agency. County administrator Pat Yoder said Central Dispatch Director Dennis Brandenburg broached the subject during last week’s executive committee meeting. Yoder said the matter yielded substantial discussion that centered on a variety of needs Brandenburg noted. The …

Despite concerns about the cost for security and an inconvenience for county staff, St. Joseph County commissioners appear likely to stick with a later start time for its twice-a-month meetings. The issue of a 6 p.m. start time was discussed by commissioners during last week’s executive committee meeting after commissioner Kathy Pangle made a motion Jan. 3 to change the …

A Colon Community Schools educator has been awarded state recognition. Officials with the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association said Martha Hymer, principal at Colon Elementary School, has received the 2016 MEMSPA Region Honors Award from Region 4. This award is presented to a single member from each of MEMSPA’s fourteen regions who has merited such recognition as acclaimed …

Sturgis police arrested an 18-year-old man Wednesday on two felony offenses and a misdemeanor following a pursuit. According to a department media release, officers attempted to stop a vehicle for an equipment violation shortly before 2:30 a.m. on North Lakeview Street at East Lafayette Street. The driver refused to stop and the vehicle was pursued until it came to a …

Members of the Colon Village Council agreed Tuesday to adopt a “payment-in-lieu-of-insurance” policy for its full-time employees. Village president Diane Downs said the offer is available to employees who receive insurance through their spouse instead of the village. Council members agreed two payments a year would be made to those who decline village-offered insurance. Married employees who qualify will receive …

Firefighters from four departments battled a residential blaze Monday afternoon in Sherman Township. Crews were dispatched around 3 p.m. to the 66000 block of Klinger Lake Road. First responders saw flames emanating from the rear of the home. Flames quickly spread to the front of the home, according to authorities. The residence was a complete loss. An initial investigation suggests …

A 37-year-old Sturgis man is being held in the St. Joseph County Jail after police found methamphetamine labs in his vehicle earlier this week in Sturgis Township. A sheriff’s deputy stopped the vehicle for an expired license plate around 10:30 a.m. Monday on U.S. 12 near Stubey Road. The deputy soon discovered a meth lab was in the back of …