St Joseph County

The first of what could well be a number of trailway master plan meetings in Sturgis took place last week. About 50 people attended the session, which centered on ideas and potential routes, corridors and connections for non-motorized traffic. Participants noted existing roadways – including Congress and West streets in Sturgis – along with abandoned railroad rights-of-way could be utilized …

After just two years celebrating Dam Days, the city of Sturgis is changing the name and focus of its annual community celebration. Municipal officials were notified this week that the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce is going to call the 2012 festival Sturgis Fest. Cathi Abbs, chamber director, said “Where the Good Times Roll,” is the theme of the inaugural …

Tuition for St. Joseph County students attending Glen Oaks Community College will increase $5 per credit hour starting in the fall. Approved by the school’s board of trustees, the rate hike will bump the college’s tuition rate to $89 per credit hour. Meanwhile, students in the college’s service area will pay $136 a credit hour, with an additional $6 per …

The passenger in a vehicle stopped Tuesday in Burr Oak Township was charged with a methamphetamine-related offense. The unnamed 43-year-old woman, a Burr Oak resident, was charged with manufacturing meth and was wanted for probation violation on a previous meth-related charge, according to Michigan State Police. A search of the vehicle revealed a one-pot meth lab and other meth components …

A 50-year-old Colon man was ticketed Wednesday for careless driving after a vehicle he was driving went off the roadway and struck a tree. Jeffery Weinberg told police fatigue played a role in the accident, which occurred on Lutz Road in Florence Township. The vehicle he was driving northbound crossed the centerline and went off the road. He was not …

Constantine village officials said plans for a new business setting up at the former Rexam plant remain on track. Village Manager Mark Honeysett said the Fort Wayne, Ind.-based Nature’s Fuel has signed a sales agreement on the purchase of the Rexam site. Honeysett, however, said the transaction remains in progress and a closing has not yet taken place. Honeysett said …

The Centreville Downtown Development Authority recently hired the first program manager in its 21-year history. Carol Snow-Penn, a Centreville native, said her goal is to help the village fill its vacant storefronts and market downtown Centreville as an attractive place for business. Snow-Penn said she would like to see the village establish a farmers market. In addition, she will suggest …

Investigators from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said alcohol appeared to be a factor in a single-vehicle accident around noon Sunday in Lockport Township. Deputies responded to the area of Schweitzer and Holton roads following reports of the incident. The 27-year-old driver, whose name was not released, was traveling east on Schweitzer Road when his vehicle left the roadway …

The Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority welcomed more than 10 new businesses in 2011 and was awarded a façade grant for two downtown buildings. Christy Trammell, DDA director, recently provided the annual report to the Three Rivers City Commission. Trammell said noteworthy achievements in 2011 included the establishment of a local historic district, a retail incubator program called Project Start …

A pair of Florence Township residents was charged with methamphetamine-related offenses following a search of their residence Friday last week. Mike Klechak, 38, and Susan Lough, 37, were charged with operating and maintaining a meth lab, police said. A tip led investigators to the residence, in the 21000 block of Mintdale Road. Armed with a search warrant, police entered the …