St Joseph County

The South Bend-based Friends of the St. Joe River Association will stage its sixth annual meeting Monday at the Sturges-Young Auditorium, in Sturgis. Matt Meersman, president of the not-for-profit association, said the annual meetings are typically staged in Sturgis or Three Rivers because they are central to the 5,000-square-mile The event typically draws county and township officials, lake association representatives, …

The Mendon High School girls basketball team received state accolades earlier this week. Leasa Griffith was named Class D coach of the year by the Michigan Associated Press. Griffith oversaw a squad that finished 19-2, with its only losses coming to Niles Brandywine and Athens, a pair of state-ranked teams still in the playoffs. In addition, junior Brooke Howard was …

Two people were taken to Three Rivers Health for injuries sustained in a two-vehicle accident shortly after 3 o’clock Tuesday afternoon in Park Township. The St Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said a 21-year-old Vicksburg woman was driving west on Michigan Avenue when her vehicle was struck on the driver’s side as she attempted to turn left onto Parkville Road. The …

The last basketball team in St. Joseph County still in the state playoffs was defeated Wednesday. The White Pigeon boys basketball squad was stopped by Schoolcraft, 73-44, in a regional final at Constantine High School. The Chiefs finish the season 15 and 9, while Schoolcraft advances with a 23 and 2 record

Village officials in Centreville agreed this week to dismiss Department of Public Works director Randy Baker following an investigation related to gasoline allegedly taken from the pump designated for municipal vehicles. The vote was made after Baker refused to act on the village’s request last week that he step down from the post. Baker, a Colon resident, is suspected of …

Glen Oaks Community College Current has announced former students, staff and community members are invited to nominate a full-time faculty member for the E. J. Shaheen Chair for Teaching Excellence award for 2013. The award is presented annually to an outstanding faculty member who exemplifies high professional standards, demonstrates excellence in teaching and whose position as a faculty member reflects …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District has announced the dates of its seven river clean-up projects in 2013. It marks the third consecutive year the agency will stage river clean-up events. A 4.7-mile stretch of the Prairie River will be the focus of a June 1 effort in Lockport Township, followed by a 4.5-mile clearing of the Fawn River June …

A 38-year-old White Pigeon-area resident is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in St. Joseph County District Court on a charge of killing an animal. Prosecutor John McDonough authorized the charge against Dallas Barnhart, who allegedly shot a dog belonging to a Constantine woman outside his Sevison Road residence last year. Members of the St. Joseph County Animal Rescue Fund have …

The Michigan Department of Transportation has announced its plans to invest more than $75 million in 2013 to improve 141 miles of roadways and repair 21 bridges in its Southwest Region. The region includes St. Joseph County. The Southwest Region 2013 program will provide approximately $48.4 million for pavement repair and roughly $27 million to upgrade bridges to good condition. …

A 54-year-old Elkhart man was treated for injuries he sustained in a one-car crash over the weekend in Constantine Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Douglas Griffin was driving south on U.S. 131 at 2:20 a.m. Saturday when he lost control of his vehicle and drove it off the roadway. Griffin was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at Three …