Government

St. Joseph County’s nine public school districts will share a rebate in excess of $230,000 of 2014-15 unspent special-education reserves. St. Joseph County Intermediate School District, overseer of the county’s special education services for qualified people up to age 26, will pay the districts in three installments, according to superintendent Barb Marshall. The first payment was scheduled to take place …

Changes in school start times and bus routes are prompting a new traffic order for bus-loading and student pick-ups at Congress School in Sturgis. As a result, members of the Sturgis City Commission have approved a new traffic-control order that moves the school-bus loading zone from Walker Avenue to East Congress Street. Consequently, all remaining student pick-ups will occur on …

Sturgis city commissioners this month approved an agreement to sell electric power generated by the city’s diesel plant. Putting that power into the regional electric grid will generate an estimated $400,000 in payments to the city, municipal officials said. Commissioners also clarified and expanded language in a downtown business district zoning ordinance to allow for limited-purpose fencing. Masonry walls will …

Construction of the new Sturgis senior center is on track for an early-March move-in, according to St. Joseph County Commission On Aging officials. Furthermore, COA officials said there may be a buyer for the current Paul Cassault Center, the longtime Sturgis home of south-county senior services. Lynn Coursey, COA executive director, said the new site under construction on North Franks …

The city of Sturgis has gone on record supporting four neighboring townships in calling for the St. Joseph County Road Commission to put a dedicated road- millage proposal before the county’s voters. Members of the Sturgis City Commission earlier this month agreed they will support an additional property tax to pay for local road construction and repair. A resolution endorsing …

New development is coming to South Centerville Road in Sturgis. Tractor Supply Company is expected to relocate into a portion of the current Kmart facility and share the remainder of the space with a new Dunham’s Sports. The move will result in five times more floor space for TSC, compared to its current location, at 1313 S. Centerville Road. Officials …

A happy ending took place for three families Tuesday in Centreville. As part of the 13th annual Michigan Adoption Day, St. Joseph County Probate Court Judge David Tomlinson invited the public to witness the confirmation of five children among a trio of families. A packed courtroom watched as Tomlinson swore in the new parents and completed an oath that made …

A Three Rivers woman, suspected of stabbing a man last weekend, was arraigned in St. Joseph County District Court Monday. Court officials said Cheri Sparks, 54, has been charged with assault with intent to commit murder following an incident around 10:30 p.m. Saturday in the 900 block of Fifth Street in Three Rivers. Bond was set at $150,000 cash/surety.

Sturgis city commissioners this week approved a $2.4 million contract with a Minnesota-based company to implement a distribution technology analysis for a new water/electricity metering system. The city is replacing 7,200 residential, commercial and industrial utility meters throughout the city utility system. New meters will use radio frequency to transmit data to remote collectors and then to city hall, where …

A 54-year-old Three Rivers woman was taken into custody after she allegedly stabbed a man over the weekend. Three Rivers police said they were called around 10:30 p.m. Saturday to the 900 block of Fifth Street in response to an assault in progress. Upon arrival, officers discovered a 51-year-old man had been stabbed in the chest. The victim was taken …