St Joseph County

The Sturgis Junior Women’s League donated $3,200 each to three area organizations. Recipients of the donations were Pregnancy Helpline of St. Joseph County, Keystone Place and St. Joseph County Victim Services. Checks were presented last week. Karen Bates, president of Sturgis Junior Women’s League, said there have been years when the total raised equaled the amount provided to each of …

A man was arrested last weekend in Sturgis after he had started a trash fire. Sturgis police were called at 9:45 p.m. Saturday to the 500 block of Center Street in response to a man being assaultive and disorderly. Once at the residence, officers discovered a small trash fire had been set next to the home. Officers were able to …

The League of Michigan Bicyclists will conduct its annual Pedal and Paddle Tour in Three Rivers later this month. This year’s route will explore the areas in and around St. Joseph County Sept. 18-20. There are more than 50 riders registered for the tour, which will see participants ride daily bicycle loops throughout St. Joseph County, then paddle the Portage …

Mendon residents are in store for relief from the summer-long, downtown infrastructure-improvement project. Village manager John Hyden said there’s a chance street paving will begin Friday, so long as the weather between now and Friday allows. Street paving will mark a significant step toward completion of the $4.1 million project, which started March 30. Hyden said in addition to the …

Tuesday’s first day of classes in St. Joseph County schools brought with it a number of changes and new faces to its nine public school districts. Two new superintendents are in place, as former Constantine High School Principal Christine Barnes stepped in as chief of Colon Community Schools. Meanwhile, former Three Rivers superintendent Roger Rathburn will oversee Mendon Community Schools …

White Pigeon Area Community Foundation, a geographic affiliate of Sturgis Area Community Foundation, recently approved $7,600 in grant awards during its 2015 competitive-grant program. The Adele M. Gray Fund awarded $4,500 to the White Pigeon Caring Families for community and program support. The Fund for White Pigeon also provided grant support to White Pigeon Caring Families with a $1,000 grant. …

With today the opening of the 2015-16 academic year for Michigan’s public schools, State Rep. Aaron Miller is encouraging parents to discuss bus-safety with their children and urging drivers to be aware of school-bus laws. Miller said parents should include a discussion about bus safety as part of the back-to-school routine with their children. Also, parents whose children walk to …

A motorcycle was reported stolen last week from a residence in Fabius Township. St. Joseph County Sheriff’s deputies said the lime green 2008 Kawasaki KLX 450 was taken from the 15000 block of Null Road in the early morning hours of Sept. 2. In addition, several vehicles were entered and items stolen. Investigators said residents are encouraged to lock their …

Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County is seeking candidates to be Habitat partner families. Habitat plans to have three homes available for occupancy by families by June 2016 – one each in Sturgis, White Pigeon and Three Rivers. Chris Amones, a Habitat board member and chairperson of the Family Selection/ Partnering Committee said in partnership with a working family, Habitat …

The Michigan Department of Transportation has announced that starting Tuesday, it will be repaving more than four miles of state routes in three locations within St. Joseph County. MDOT’s Nick Schirripa said the work will take place on US-12 from Wallowa Road to Klinger Lake Road in White Pigeon Township; M-60 from the east village limits of Mendon to M-66 …