St Joseph County

The Community Action Agency of St. Joseph County has issued a media release providing advance notice about its 29th Walk for Warmth event. Nancy Percival, CAA board member, said the fundraiser will take place Feb. 22. It will take place simultaneously in six communities in St. Joseph, Barry, Branch and Calhoun counties. A fundraising goal of $50,000 has been set. …

Nearly 1,500 jobs and $53.8 million in new, private investment were announced in St. Joseph County in 2013. The figures were included in the Southwest Michigan First 2013 annual report presented by Ken Jones last week before the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. The 12-month period marks the first full calendar year the St. Joseph County Economic Development Corporation …

Glen Oaks Community College is continuing public forums for its presidential candidates today and Thursday. The second of three sessions takes place today, when Phil Gasparro will be involved in a question-answer forum 10 to 11 a.m., and again 1:30-2:30 p.m. Gasparro is an administrator with Student Success Initiatives at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland. On Thursday, Douglas Brauer will …

The St. Joseph County United Way has issued a reminder of a donation opportunity that agency officials call a “win-win” proposition. Executive director Kelly Hostetler said by donating appreciated stocks that have been held for at least a year and a day, the giver is able to deduct the full, fair-market value of the stock on the date of the …

Seven area high school girls were named to the all-state volleyball squad. Members of the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association named Brooke Howard of Mendon to its Class C first-team. Her teammate, Alexis Russell, was named to the second team, while fellow Lady Hornet Jordan VanOss made the third team. In Class B, first team honors went to Rachel Anderson …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District has announced a forestry workshop it is sponsoring this week. The event is 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday and features two keynote speakers: Ben Schram, forestry assistance program coordinator with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Jeff Steinkraus, consulting forester. The focus of the workshop will center on qualified forestry, conservation …

Troopers from the Michigan State Police detachment in White Pigeon were called Friday to A-1 Storage Unit in Sturgis Township regarding break-ins to several units. The incidents occurred between 5:30 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. Friday in the 68000 block of White School Road.

Nearly 200 people took part in Friday’s Christmas in Colon holiday gathering  in downtown Colon. Despite cold weather, a crowd gathered along State Street well ahead of the annual parade. The procession started at Colon Elementary and concluded at Colon Community Park, where hot chocolate, cookies and a visit with Santa were available. Sponsored by the Colon Area Chamber of …

Kennedy’s Kitchen and the Celtic Fire Irish Stepdancers will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Riviera Theatre in downtown Three Rivers. All proceeds from the show will benefit the Huss Project, an effort to build community in Three Rivers through food, art, play and friendship. The evening will feature Irish music, dancing, sing-along Christmas carols, complimentary appetizers and a cash …

Three Rivers Community Schools Superintendent Roger Rathburn has announced he plans to run for state representative next year. The 51-year-old Rathburn, who is retiring in June following a 13-year tenure as superintendent in Three Rivers, will seek the 59th District State House seat currently held by Matt Lori. Lori, who will begin his sixth and final year as state rep …