St Joseph County

St. Joseph County’s 2016 fiscal year budget was passed last week, but not without some concerns from a Florence Township resident. The $16.5 million budget reflects a 2.3 percent decrease from the county’s 2015 adjusted amended budget. Tim Carls criticized the board two weeks earlier during a public hearing on what was then the proposed budget. His concern centered on …

A food-drive challenge that returned to Sturgis High School in 2014 was back again this year. Students gathered a total of 1,180 non-perishable food items from Nov. 2 through Dec. 2. Items were donated to the local Salvation Army food pantry earlier this month. Students from Amanda Langworthy’s seminar class collected the most food items, with 274. They received a …

St. Joseph County deputies responded to separate complaints earlier this month; one regarding larcenies from a number of vehicles in Lockport Township, the other involved the theft of two riding mowers in Park Township. On Dec. 11, investigators were called to the area of Timm Road and Lovers Lane after a number of residents reported their vehicles were entered overnight …

Florence Township Supervisor Gordon Evilsizor last week issued a plea to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners before the five-member panel acted on the county’s 2016 budget Tuesday Appearing for the fifth time in less than three months, Evilsizor once again inquired about an allowance to fix Constantine Road, a north-south route widely considered the worst road in St. …

For the eighth consecutive year, members of the Three Rivers Fire Department will help bring cheer to the community with the Firefighters For Santa program. Lt./paramedic Dave Crampton said firefighters will deliver food and gifts from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday to various locations in the city. Funded through donations from such local businesses as Meijer and Armstrong International, and …

Thirteen people will be required to attend a show-cause hearing after not appearing Wednesday in accordance with their jury summons from St. Joseph County Circuit Court. The Jan. 8 hearing is meant to send a message that prospective jurors take seriously their obligation to the court system, according to Kathy Griffin, circuit/probate courts administrator. A trial related to a case …

Midwest Energy Cooperative has provided Centreville High School guidance counselor Sarah Dickman a grant of $1,800. The Strengthening School Grant will be used to introduce formal Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics curriculum for the junior high students to use in their science exploratory. The curriculum is through Project Lead the Way, which is the nation’s leading STEM program in activity, …

Glen Oaks Community College’s 50th anniversary celebration came to a close earlier this month with a final event. Faculty and staff gathered at the site of the new flag plaza for a dedication ceremony that included placement of a 50-year anniversary time capsule in the brick plaza. The capsule contains an array of items from throughout the year, including the …

The village of Constantine was awarded more than $20,000 from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources as part of its Recreation Passport grant program. The village was one of 33 recipients from a field of 45 applicants to receive a portion of the $1.3 million available for recreation-related purposes. Funds are made available through the $11 annual pass residents purchase …

State Rep. Aaron Miller and former state Reps. Matt Lori and Rick Shaffer gathered at the Capitol Tuesday to say goodbye to retiring staffer Susan Martin, who served as legislative aide to all three lawmakers during the past 13 years. Miller commended Martin for the hard work she has done for the people of the 59th House District while working …