St Joseph County

A light agenda awaits the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this afternoon. Items under new business are an agreement for renewing a cost-allocation plan; a request to offer AFLAC insurance through payroll deduction; and a request to fill a vacant finance accounting clerk position. Also, Commissioner Rick Shaffer is expected to be nominated to the Templene Lake Board. The …

The Michigan Department of Transportation has announced an upcoming closure of M-216 in Flowerfield Township. Starting March 18, the road will be closed west of the U.S. 131 intersection for reconstruction. A detour will follow Pulver, Johnson and Flowerfield roads. The roadwork is set to be completed May 31.

A 14-year-old girl missing from Three Rivers was located over the weekend in Kent County, Three Rivers Police said. Fourteen-year-old Alejandra Rubi had been missing since Feb. 21. After Rubi’s disappearance, police said she had phone contact with her mother the following day and told her mother she was alright, but no longer in Three Rivers. She was found Saturday …

Officials from the city of Sturgis have approved a letter of intent with St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners regarding the development of a senior center. The proposed center is slated to be built on property adjacent to the Doyle Community Center and would be leased to the county for a token $1 annually. County Commission members over the past …

Three Rivers High School girls basketball team is District 34 champ, thanks to a 50-23 victory Friday over Sturgis. The 22-1, Lady Cats move on to regional action Tuesday, when they take on 13-7 Stevensville-Lakeshore at 6 p.m. in Coloma, and we’ll carry the game on WRCI 97.1 FM, with the pre-game show getting underway at 5:50. We’ll also stream …

A charge of manslaughter was dropped against a 40-year-old Three Rivers man involved in the explosion of a methamphetamine lab last fall. St. Joseph County prosecutor John McDonough said Frank Pauwee will not seek the charge, as an investigation into the case has concluded and McDonough said he did not find reasonable grounds to pursue the charges. Police identified Pauwee …

Members of the Michigan House approved legislation allowing veterans to receive a special designation on their driver’s license or state ID cards, state Rep. Matt Lori announced Thursday. With more than 650,000 veterans living in Michigan, Lori anticipates the legislation will keep veterans from having to secure paperwork to prove their military service. Lori, a Constantine-area resident, said veterans deserve …

The Sturgis Sister City Committee is looking for adult travelers for the 2013 exchange trip to Wiesloch. The trip will occur Aug. 22-29. Travelers will stay with host families and enjoy the annual wine festival, Winzerfest and planned excursions to local attractions. Airfare is based on group rates, and a figure will be established once the number of travelers is …

A clerk at the Mottville Stop-N-Go gas station was robbed at gunpoint Monday night. According to the Michigan State Police, around 11:15 p.m., the clerk had closed the store for the night and was confronted by a man as he was walking to his car. The suspect ordered the man back inside the store and demanded the day’s cash deposit. …

An injury accident was reported to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department at 3:30 P.M. Tuesday in Leonidas Township. The one-car accident occurred on Blossom Road, east of Case Road. Investigators said a 16-year-old female was driving west on Blossom Road and lost control as a result of snowy road conditions. The vehicle went off the roadway, striking several trees …