St Joseph County

A Centreville-based company has been awarded the job of snow removal from county property. During last week’s county commission meeting, an independent-contractor agreement was approved with Adams Excavating, continuing a relationship between the two parties that dates several years. The task centers on the courthouse parking lot, the parks building and animal-control parking lot, and the sheriff’s department/central dispatch parking …

The Three Rivers Area Community Foundation has announced the creation of the Ralph and Phyllis Bence Scholarship Fund. The fund will award a scholarship of $1,000 annually, to be used by the recipient to fund higher education based on academic merit. Preference will be given to a Three Rivers Community Schools graduate. The Ralph and Phyllis Bence Scholarship Fund was …

Investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit executed a search warrant Thursday in Three Rivers. According to a department media release, investigators had received information about a residence in which the production of methamphetamine was suspected. After an extensive investigation, officers obtained a search warrant for the residence in the 600 block of Walnut Street. Officers subsequently found …

A Three Rivers resident has been reappointed to the St. Joseph County Road Commission Board. Members of the county commission last week agreed to retain Dave Allen for a six-year term. Allen’s reappointment to the five-member road commission board was endorsed by its chairman, John Bippus. A Florence Township resident last month encouraged county officials to consider other candidates. Tim …

State police investigators were called last week to a breaking-and-entering incident at a residence in Sherman Township. Troopers responded Dec. 1 to the 27000 block of Findley Road, where a homeowner reported a break-in occurred between Nov. 27 and 30. In addition to making reference to a number of items missing, the homeowner reported minor property damage.

A 21-year-old Sturgis man suffered serious injuries following a one-vehicle accident last week in Burr Oak Township. Sheriff’s deputies said the man, whose identity was not stated in a department media release, was driving north on M-66 when he attempted to reach an item in the vehicle and lost control. The Jeep veered off the right side of the road …

A small-town holiday tradition returns this evening. Christmas in Colon takes place five to eight o’clock with a variety of events capped by a visit from Santa. Sponsored by the Colon Area Chamber of Commerce, Christmas in Colon includes a parade starting at 6 p.m. from Colon Elementary School to the community park. In all, 24 businesses will be open …

State police are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that took place at a Sturgis residence. According to a department media release, the break-in occurred between Nov. 30 and Dec. 2 in the 300 block of East South Street. Investigators said jewelry and weapons were reported stolen.

A labor agreement with the St. Joseph County Fraternal Order of Police corrections sergeants divisions was approved Tuesday by the county’s board of commissioners. The three-year agreement includes no pay raise in 2016, but a 2 percent increase in 2017 and again in 2018. Shift assignments will be made at the discretion of Sheriff Brad Balk and wage parity will …

A driver who police said fell asleep at the wheel caused a two-vehicle accident Thursday morning in Constantine Township. Sheriff’s deputies said a vehicle driven by a 20-year-old Constantine man was northbound on U.S. 131 when the vehicle drifted into the oncoming lane of traffic and struck a SUV driven by a 31-year-old Three Rivers man. The Constantine man, whose …