St Joseph County

A high water level at Colon Township’s Sturgeon Lake has prompted the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department to close its public access. In addition, the sheriff’s department is enforcing a no-wake policy throughout the lake. The no-wake order will remain in place until further notice.

The Centreville Village Council is short a member after council president Eric Weis resigned Monday. Weis was vague about his reasons for stepping down, noting only that family considerations, time commitment to the job and public criticism of the council’s actions were factors contributing to his departure. With Weis’ resignation, Jeff Johnson will serve the role of president, as he …

Investigators from the Three Rivers Police Department are studying surveillance images of an armed robbery Tuesday in hopes of identifying the lone suspect. The incident occurred shortly after 10 p.m. at the BP gas station on West Michigan Avenue. A photo of the suspect shows him to be a 6-foot-tall black male with a heavy build. He was armed with …

An election of officers resulted in no change on the Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County board. During the board’s monthly meeting Tuesday, it was agreed that Barb Parker will remain chairperson, Robin Baker as vice-chair, Ronnie Atkins as secretary and Gaylene Adams serving in the capacity of citizen-at-large. In a separate matter, the board …

State Rep. Matt Lori voted in favor of a budget plan supported by both Republicans and an Independent lawmaker that cuts government waste and prioritizes funding for public safety, roads and schools. Lori, R-Constantine, joined a majority of his colleagues in voting Wednesday in favor of House Bills 4228 and 4328, the Fiscal Year 2014 House budget recommendation. Lori, who …

Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County executive director Liz O’Dell said the agency last week received a check for more than $200,000 from her counterpart in Oakland County. O’Dell told board members during their monthly meeting Tuesday that the $211,000 will help cover spin-down costs, which are incurred when the agency fronts deductible or co-pay …

Thirty-two food-service establishments in St. Joseph County were recognized for earning exemplary inspection scores by the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. Certificates of excellence were awarded to the eateries for meeting criteria set by the state and earning top scores after being inspected at least once annually by the Coldwater-based department. Among the fast-food and sit-down establishments in Sturgis, Mancino’s …

Tickets are now available for the banquet and program to honor Carol Boulette as this year’s Three Rivers Lions Club “Citizen of the Year.” The gathering takes place May 14 at Belle Epoque in downtown Three Rivers. A reception is at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30. Tickets are $20 per person and available at the Southern Michigan Bank …

The St Joseph County Sheriff Department investigated a breaking-and-entering incident last week in Lockport Township. Deputies responded to a residence in the 17000 block of Scott Lane, where prescription medicine was reported stolen. The incident occurred between 4:30 and 10 p.m. Friday.

Child welfare workers can’t be sued in the death of a Centreville teen who perished in a fire, even if they knew she was routinely tied to her bed by her parents. According to the Associated Press, Michigan’s federal appeals court has affirmed a decision by a judge in Grand Rapids. The court says the 2008 death of Calista Springer …