St Joseph County

Sturgis High School is preparing its students – and their parents – for a technology advance in the 2012-13 academic year, when all high school students will be provided an iPad to use for the school year. Sessions staged Tuesday and Wednesday this week collectively drew more than 100 parents, who were given more information about security features that will …

The Three Rivers Citizens of the Year, Jim and Vera Bippus, were recognized during a reception Tuesday at Belle Epoque. Hosted by the Three Rivers Lions Club, the banquet attracted more than 100 people and provided an opportunity to formally recognize the lifelong Three Rivers residents for their contributions to the community. The Three Rivers Lions Club has staged the …

Fire officials from the Michigan State Police are continuing to investigate the cause of a fire Tuesday that destroyed the Trilium building, in the 26000 block of West U.S. 12. Located in unincorporated Sturgis Township, the building was fully engulfed in flames as personnel from the Tri-Township and city of Sturgis fire departments arrived shortly after 8 p.m. The fire …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department responded this week to a report of a breaking-and-entering incident in Burr Oak Township. Investigators said a vacant residence in the 64000 block of Sycamore Road was entered between March 17 and April 17. Copper wire was stripped from the residence, investigators said. The sheriff’s department is asking the public for any information known …

A person well familiar with Three Rivers High School has been tapped to speak at next week’s senior honors night at the school. Father William Jacobs, known as Father J, spent 27 years as a teacher, assistant principal and principal at Three Rivers High School. He will be the keynote speaker at the 54th annual event at 7 p.m. Wednesday. …

Concrete repairs will close a lane of southbound U.S. 131 in Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties next week. The Michigan Department of Transportation announced the work will begin around South Street in Schoolcraft and continue south to Flowerfield Road. The work is slated to start at 6 a.m. Monday and continue for two weeks, ending May 11.

Seventeen dogs taken Friday from a Burr Oak Township residence have found temporary residence through a foster program called Up-Cycled Pets. The Shih Tzu-Pomeranian mixes were voluntarily turned over to Up-Cycled Pets volunteers after the previous owner conceded she could no longer adequately care for the animals. The woman said she was no longer breeding the dogs for sale but …

The Centreville Downtown Development Association has found a seasonal use for the property that previously housed the Village Market grocery store. An attraction called the Centreville Farmers Open Market will start in the parking lot May 4 and run through mid October. It will feature a farmer’s market, crafts, baked goods and flowers. The market is projected to run 2 …

The first of nine weekends for motorcycle-safety training takes place Friday at Sturgis High School. Offered through Glen Oaks Community College and overseen by state-certified trainer Robin Bordner, the program is partially funded by the Michigan Department of State. Cost per participant is $25 and classes are limited to 12 students per session. Though the program is offered nine different …

The Michigan Department of Transportation is expected to perform maintenance work today in Three Rivers. As a result, the agency has announced a single-lane closure on eastbound M-60 between Wood and Washington streets from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. MDOT officials said traffic will be maintained with a flagging operation.