St Joseph County

Lockport Township officials have announced the freeze alert previously set by the Lockport Township Water Board has been lifted. Its members also wish to note they will review the next quarterly billing for usage increases and apply credit as necessary in cases where residents followed the suggestion to leave a trickle of water running to prevent pipes from freezing.

The city of Three Rivers has issued a media release indicating a number of improvements are underway at the Three Rivers Farmers Market. City Clerk Melissa Bliss said a vendor meeting next week will yield more information about the revamped farmers market. The meeting will take place at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Three Rivers City Hall. Questions about the meeting …

The co-founder of a Sturgis-area rescue agency for dogs and cats is appealing to the public for a home for the remaining animals before discontinuing operations. Lois Rosenberg, who helped establish Pet Haven in 1998, announced late last year that she and partners Diana and Rick Capman decided to end Pet Haven. A lack of sustaining funds and people interested …

A week after firing its village clerk, the Centreville Village Council has discussed options for a replacement, including holding off on filling the position. Village president Jeff Johnson suggested at last week’s village council meeting that the board takes its time in replacing Terrie Tully. Tully was fired April 2 from office duties, in part, for a faulty financial budget, …

The mother of a Colon-area murder victim is looking to open a domestic-violence shelter in Sturgis. Therese McComb, mother of Venus Stewart and founder of the Venus Foundation, is seeking property on which to locate the shelter. McComb said she is in search of a donation of land or funds to construct the shelter. McComb said the 50 percent of …

A handgun belonging to a Battle Creek man was stolen over the weekend from a Branch County restaurant. State police in Coldwater said the man left a .380-caliber pistol in a bathroom stall around 7 p.m. Saturday at Bill’s Steak House in Bronson. Within the hour, he realized the oversight and called the restaurant to report the situation. Employees did …

Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department are investigating an arson last week in Colon Township. Authorities said a barn in the 33200 Block of East Palmer Lake Road was intentionally set on fire. The structure sustained significant damage, investigators said.

The St. Joseph County Marine Corps League Detachment 1401 has announced it will be involved in two Memorial Day events next month and is looking for anyone who wishes to be a part of either or both. Lineup for the Three Rivers parade will be at 8 a.m., as the event is starting at 9 a.m., one hour earlier than …

An Ottawa County man was found guilty of 16 counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct following a jury trial that concluded last week. Officials from St. Joseph County Circuit Court said James Zacharko  II, 46, of Zeeland, was accused of having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old St. Joseph County girl over a four-month period in 2012. Over the course …

Organizers of the 45th Michigan Magic Day, staged over the weekend in Colon, hailed the event as a success. The annual gathering marked the first time Colon has hosted the event, which drew more than 100 magicians to activities Friday and Saturday. Ron Carnell, a member of the Colon-based International Brotherhood of Magicians 386, said a Saturday morning magic competition …