St Joseph County

Constantine Middle School Prinicpal Ray Bohm said the school recently purchased a set of Chromebooks thanks to a grant from Pioneer Giving. Bohm, who applied for the grant earlier this year, said the 18 Chromebooks will increase student achievements, provide the ability to access curriculum independently and assist students to work collaboratively with teachers on assignments and projects. School counselor Steffany …

Members of the Jackson County Intermediate School District Board of Education this week hired Jean Logan to a newly created position. Logan, whose resignation as superintendent of Three Rivers Community Schools was accepted by its board Wednesday, will serve as early college administrator for what is described as the ISD’s Learning Services Team. Her employment was approved by the Jackson …

State police are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that took place earlier this week in Sturgis Township. Troopers were called Monday to the Memory Lane trailer park, in the 25000 block of U.S. 12, where a residence was burglarized between 4 a.m. and 1 p.m. A laptop computer and undisclosed amount of money were stolen during the break in, according to …

The Michigan Strategic Fund has awarded a grant to the city of Three Rivers for preservation of historic downtown buildings. State Rep. Aaron Miller announced the news Thursday. The $365,000 Community Development Block Grant will provide funds for blight elimination and historic preservation needed for the proposed Landmark Taphouse and Grille project. The project is expected to generate nearly $1 …

A preliminary report from the October “Count Day” shows school enrollment is slightly up in the county overall, from 10,652 students in 2016 to 10,712 students. Three Rivers Community Schools had the biggest jump, up 87 students, from 2,623 in 2016 to 2,710 in 2017. Mendon Community Schools experienced the biggest dip in enrollment, down 42 students from 581 in …

Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education members during a special meeting Wednesday accepted the resignation of superintendent Jean Logan. She advised the board last week that she expects to land a position in another district. A second order of business Wednesday saw the board hire Portage resident Rob Kuhlman to serve as interim superintendent. Kuhlman, 61, retired in June …

State Rep. Aaron Miller joined Rep. Lee Chatfield of Levering to introduce House Resolution 223, observing Jan. 16 as Religious Freedom Day in Michigan. Religious Freedom Day commemorates the anniversary of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, written by Thomas Jefferson. This statute ensured that never again would private citizens suffer at the hand of an abusive state church. Miller called Tuesday’s …

The village of Colon appears to be in the market for a new village office. During Tuesday’s village council meeting, the idea of replacing the current, 50-year-old double-wide structure was discussed. Talks were spurred by the fact the furnace at the current village office broke down two weeks ago and employees have worked there sporadically with the benefit of space …

A veteran member of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners was recognized by his peers this week. During Tuesday’s county commission meeting, board chairman Dennis Allen presented Allen Balog with a plaque and accolades recognizing Balog’s two-year stint as board chairman. Allen said Balog, 61, was worthy of the recognition. The plaque issued to Balog read: “Presented to Allen …

State police investigators are looking into the discovery of a methamphetamine lab over the weekend in Mendon Township. According to a department media release, troopers were made aware of the lab Saturday afternoon after it was discovered by children playing in the area of Wakeman and River Run roads. The children took home what they thought was suspicious trash and …