St Joseph County

A Sturgis residence is expected to be declared a total loss following a fire last week. The Sturgis Fire Department was dispatched at 7 a.m. Friday to a single-family residence at 316 S. Maple St. Upon arrival, firefighters noticed heavy smoke coming from the roof vents at the rear of the residence, according to a department media release. All residents …

State Rep. Aaron Miller, a high school teacher by trade, plans a busy month of March to help promote March Is Reading Month. Miller plans on reading to students in five different St. Joseph County school districts at various points during the month. His itinerary includes March 2 at Eastwood School in Sturgis; March 6 at Colon Elementary; March 9 …

Officials from the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce have announced the theme of the 2015 Water Festival. “TR Goes Nautical” will be the theme of the annual festival, a three-day event that starts June 18. In keeping with the theme, the festival will feature events such as a fishing tournament, according to chamber director Christy Trammell. Other attractions include …

The next step for a water trail master plan will be a discussion by county officials next week. Representatives from St. Joseph-based Edgewater Resources announced the master plan will be a part of the agenda during next week’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting. Though the public comment stage of the process has already passed, additional questions or comments …

Glen Oaks Community College’s Board of Trustees agreed last week to support the existing slate of officers for another year. David Allen will remain chairperson and Nancy Percival will remain vice-chairperson. Bruce Gosling continues as treasurer and James Moshier will remain secretary. The board also voted unanimously to extend the contract of Glen Oaks president David Devier for one more …

A merger between two banks – one with four area branches – has been announced by respective officials. Horizon Bank will merge with Peoples Federal Savings Bank. Peoples has branches in Howe and LaGrange in Indiana, and two in Three Rivers. Horizon does not have any branches in the vicinity. Headquartered in Michigan City, Ind., Horizon has been in an …

Sturgis City Manager Mike Hughes said the city’s ability to seek bids early for this summer’s major reconstruction of East West Street may be largely responsible for saving 23 percent on the project’s cost. The street was initially constructed in 1922 and its current condition made it a priority for reconstructing 2,600 feet of street surface and replacing more than …

The village of Constantine has reached an agreement with Rexam for a refund of 87 1/2 percent of a tax abatement the company owes the village. The village agreed to a 12 1/2 percent reduction, including a waiver of any penalties and interest, dropping the amount it is owed from $280,000 to a little more than $252,000. Abatements were granted …

Glen Oaks Community College’s Board of Trustees has agreed to a contract with Follett Higher Education Group Inc. to privatize bookstore services. James O’Connor, vice president of sales and operations, said Follett operates 945 campus stores internationally, has 1,500 e-commerce sites and plans to invest more than $ 250 million in the business over the next 36 months. Follett offers …

Cass County Sheriff’s deputies responded this week to a collision between a passenger vehicle and a plow truck. The incident occurred at 12:12 a.m. Thursday on U.S. 12, just east of Cassopolis Road in Mason Township. Deputies said an eastbound car driven by 39-year-old Erek Szymanski, of Mishawaka, crossed the centerline after the driver fell asleep. His vehicle struck a …