St Joseph County

Members of the Colon Community Schools Board of Education have selected Jay Newman as the district’s interim superintendent. The veteran educator and Colon resident was chosen Tuesday from a field of four candidates. Newman, 63, will fill in while the board looks for a successor to Lloyd Kirby, who decided over the summer to retire. Newman, who will be paid …

Two men, ages 23 and 17, were taken into custody by Sturgis police following a foot pursuit near Franks Park late Tuesday. According to the Sturgis Police Department, the two were seen walking in the park shortly before midnight. Police suspected the two were involved in a methamphetamine lab earlier in the day. As officers attempted to stop them, the …

An update on the formation of historic district guidelines, applicable to downtown Three Rivers businesses, was provided this week to the Three Rivers City Commission. The report was presented by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma, chairman of the city’s Historic District Commission. He provided Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners detailed examples of conformity guidelines to which downtown building owners will be subject …

Five people were arrested Wednesday following the culmination of an investigation into the production of methamphetamine in Mendon Township. Investigators from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said three men and two women were taken into custody. They were arrested at a residence in the 24000 block of Pinhook Road by investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit. …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District has canceled its final river cleanup of the season Saturday. A 2.8-mile stretch of the Nottawa Creek in Leonidas Township was supposed to cap the agency’s seven cleanup events this summer. Jen Miller, Conservation District administrator, said the agency appreciates the support of numerous volunteers and businesses that supported the six cleanup efforts in …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has re-appointed two members to its Board of Election Canvassers. During Tuesday’s commission meeting, a ballot vote was cast by the four commissioners present; Jack Brooks and Carol Snow-Penn were unanimously chosen to serve four-year terms. Brooks will represent the Democratic party and Snow-Penn the Republican party. The Board of Election Canvassers is …

The Solid Waste Management Planning Committee of St. Joseph County wishes to advise that its twice-a-year collection of hazardous waste, computers, televisions, tires, latex paint and paperboard will take place Oct. 5 at the St. Joseph County fairgrounds. Word about the collection is being made now so people who have items to drop off can start to gather and accumulate …

The Three Rivers City Commission will stage a public hearing later this month regarding a property at 1001 Wood St. During Tuesday’s city commission meeting, Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners set the date, due to a violation of city code. Lowry said the property owner – Consumers Sand and Gravel – has failed to respond to notices of violation left …

Organizers behind Sunday’s Three Rivers HarmonyFest said they couldn’t have been happier with the turnout for the 20th annual event. Staged on North Main Street, the 10-band, day-long festival had the benefit of good weather and an event-ending fireworks display to lure more than 3,000 people throughout the course of the day and night. The fireworks show was supposed to …

Members of the Sturgis City Commission have granted a 12-year tax abatement to Johnson Precision Mold and Engineering. Located in the North Centerville Road business park, the company is investing more than $100,000 in new equipment – primarily a high-speed machining center. Cathy Knapp, manufacturing specialist for the city, said the investment allows the company to increase its sales. In …