Government

An official with the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority has apologized and expressed regret to anyone unable to secure a ride through the agency’s Free Ride Home last week. Joe Cooper, operations manager of the Three Rivers-based agency, said the CTA featured incorrect phone numbers on promotional materials it advertised and distributed for anyone wishing a free ride home New …

State police officials are investigating break-ins to several residences last week in White Pigeon Township. The incidents occurred in the 68000 block of Hill Street around 5 p.m. Friday. Victims reported the stolen items were primarily televisions and home electronics. Residents in the area reported seeing a red pickup truck of unknown make/model in the area around the time the …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners will open the year with four items of new business during their first meeting of 2016 this afternoon. Matters of consideration include memorandums of understanding with the village of Centreville and Park Township for shared grant-writer duties. Also on the agenda is setting the meeting dates and times for 2016 commission …

The Animal Control Shelter Advisory Board will be adding two new members in 2016. During their Dec. 15 meeting, St. Joseph County commissioners approved a request to expand the advisory board’s size from eight to 10 members. The two new positions call for at-large representation. County administrator Pat Yoder said the change in advisory board bylaws was required by the …

Mayor Tom Lowry and the Three Rivers City Commission have five matters of new business before them this evening. The agenda items include whether to consider the home at 429 Fourth Ave. a public nuisance and issue a demolition order; discussion of a $28,000 purchase order of diesel fuel with Drake’s Crystal Flash; consideration of awarding sports complex-related work to …

A Missouri-based company was chosen to conduct feasibility-study services regarding potential improvements and renovations to the county jail. Commissioners Dec. 15 selected Goldberg Group Architects of St. Joseph, Mo., at a cost of $5,000, plus potential reimbursable expenses. County administrator Pat Yoder said the study is being done as a proactive measure, based in large part on conversations he has …

Two Branch County residents were charged with sex crimes from incidents that date to 2006. Michigan State Police said the victim, a 22-year-old Mishawaka resident, disclosed she had been allegedly sexually assaulted multiple times by David Green, 44, of Coldwater. The victim told investigators that Green took nude photographs of her starting in 2006 and that their relationship included intercourse. …

Five personnel matters were approved by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Dec. 15. Custodian Tara Lafler’s employment status was changed from part time to full time, while Benjamin Brandenburg was made a full-time employee at the sheriff’s department as a road patrol officer at a pay rate of $21.52 an hour. The resignation of Commission On Aging in-home …

Investigators from the Michigan State Police Fire Marshall’s office were back at the scene of a fire Tuesday that destroyed a home in the 13000 block of Riverside Drive in Constantine Township earlier this week. Authorities said the cause of the fire was accidental, possibly from a candle. Constantine firefighters were called to the home about 9:30 p.m. Sunday. First-arriving …

The start of a possible addition to the county courthouse, continued development of the county’s river trail concept and a potential upgrade to the animal-control facility are a few matters St. Joseph County government officials are looking toward in 2016. The opening of a Commission On Aging senior center in Sturgis early in the year also was recognized as another …