Government

White Pigeon Fire Department and area residents have assured that local families will have a happy holiday. Earlier this month, the agency staged its second “Fill The Fire Truck” event. Residents were encouraged to donate non-perishable food items or drop money in a fire boot. White Pigeon postal carriers also assisted by picking up items left at mailboxes. Also, Central …

St. Joseph County’s 2016 fiscal year budget was passed last week, but not without some concerns from a Florence Township resident. The $16.5 million budget reflects a 2.3 percent decrease from the county’s 2015 adjusted amended budget. Tim Carls criticized the board two weeks earlier during a public hearing on what was then the proposed budget. His concern centered on …

St. Joseph County deputies responded to separate complaints earlier this month; one regarding larcenies from a number of vehicles in Lockport Township, the other involved the theft of two riding mowers in Park Township. On Dec. 11, investigators were called to the area of Timm Road and Lovers Lane after a number of residents reported their vehicles were entered overnight …

Florence Township Supervisor Gordon Evilsizor last week issued a plea to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners before the five-member panel acted on the county’s 2016 budget Tuesday Appearing for the fifth time in less than three months, Evilsizor once again inquired about an allowance to fix Constantine Road, a north-south route widely considered the worst road in St. …

For the eighth consecutive year, members of the Three Rivers Fire Department will help bring cheer to the community with the Firefighters For Santa program. Lt./paramedic Dave Crampton said firefighters will deliver food and gifts from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday to various locations in the city. Funded through donations from such local businesses as Meijer and Armstrong International, and …

Thirteen people will be required to attend a show-cause hearing after not appearing Wednesday in accordance with their jury summons from St. Joseph County Circuit Court. The Jan. 8 hearing is meant to send a message that prospective jurors take seriously their obligation to the court system, according to Kathy Griffin, circuit/probate courts administrator. A trial related to a case …

State police are conducting an investigation after three Branch County residents recently overdosed on synthetic marijuana. According to a department media release, two incidents occurred Sunday in Ovid Township. One of the two men remains in critical condition at Borgess Hospital, the other was treated locally and released. Meanwhile, a 22-year-old man overdosed Monday in Batavia Township. After he was …

The village of Constantine was awarded more than $20,000 from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources as part of its Recreation Passport grant program. The village was one of 33 recipients from a field of 45 applicants to receive a portion of the $1.3 million available for recreation-related purposes. Funds are made available through the $11 annual pass residents purchase …

State Rep. Aaron Miller and former state Reps. Matt Lori and Rick Shaffer gathered at the Capitol Tuesday to say goodbye to retiring staffer Susan Martin, who served as legislative aide to all three lawmakers during the past 13 years. Miller commended Martin for the hard work she has done for the people of the 59th House District while working …

Sturgis firefighters were dispatched to ACM Plastics just after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, and arrived to find heavy smoke and fire coming from roof vents at the north end of the plant. All employees existed safely. Due to heavy smoke, crews used a thermal-imaging camera to direct the fire-fight. Damage was contained to a malfunctioning mold heater, while the building sustained …