St Joseph County

State police officials have released the name of a Constantine man who died in a single-vehicle accident last week. Glenn O’Neal Greene Jr., 49, was driving a 2003 Chevy Malibu when it went off the roadway at 4:15 p.m. Saturday on Youngs Prairie Road near New England Road in Constantine Township. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators said …

Officers from the Three Rivers Police Department are investigating an act of vandalism that occurred last week at Riverside Cemetery. Sexton Richard Clements said damage to more than 20 headstones took place Wednesday and was discovered the next day. He said stone pillars were toppled, other markers were defaced and even some in-ground limestone markers more than a century old …

Six people were injured after the buggy in which they were riding was struck by a pickup last week in Leonidas Township. Sheriff’s officials said the incident occurred Friday in the 52000 block of Correll Road. Two adults and four children in the buggy were transported to Kalamazoo for treatment of their injuries. The 55-year-old driver of the pickup was …

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating the theft of a tool bag stolen earlier this month from a Sturgis Township residence. The incident occurred around 1 p.m. Dec. 3 in the 69000 block of Texas Avenue. The victim told authorities someone broke the window of a vehicle parked at the residence and stole the bag. It was described as a black and …

Members of the St. Joseph County Road Commission discussed the future of the Langley Covered Bridge during their monthly meeting Wednesday. Considering the bridge’s continued maintenance requirements and general repair needs, board members have discussed the possibility of turning it into a pedestrian bridge and putting another bridge alongside it. Three Rivers resident Anna Smith said a new bridge would …

A proposed village medical marijuana ordinance was discussed briefly at Monday’s Constantine Village Council meeting. The discussion relates to the council’s special meeting Dec. 12, when council members considered whether to adopt the ordinance. Initially it passed, 5-2, but after further discussion was rescinded, also by a 5-2 vote. Council members decided it would be easier to start with a …

The Youth Advisory Council of the Sturgis Area Community Foundation awarded its 2017 Fall Cycle YAC grants aimed at funding youth-serving projects in the Sturgis area. This year’s YAC grant recipients include The Children’s Trauma Assessment Group, receiving $12,500 to continue providing support and resources for children who have experienced trauma. Other recipients were Student Help and Healing Center, receiving $ …

State police are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident in Flowerfield Township. According to a department media release, access to a house and nearby shed in the 53000 block of Bent Road was gained between Nov. 14 and Dec. 14. Authorities said multiple items were stolen from both structures.

The 2018 fiscal-year budget approved Tuesday by St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners features more than $3 million less than the 2017 budget. With a dissenting vote by Commissioner Kathy Pangle, the board approved an $18.6 million general-fund budget for the fiscal year starting Jan. 1. The amended 2017 general-fund budget was nearly $21.9 million, about 17 percent more than …

State Rep. Aaron Miller this week announced a state agency has recommended funding for two local projects to enhance recreational opportunities. Projects recommended by the Natural Resources Trust Fund Board include the $293,700 development of a canoe and kayak launch site north of the bridge at Memory Isle Park in Three Rivers. The development will also convert lights at the …