Government

A 38-year-old Niles woman was treated for head pains after she was involved in a two-vehicle accident over the weekend in Cass County’s Mason Township. Sheriff Joe Underwood said deputies were called to U.S. 12 near Kessington Road shortly before 3 p.m. Saturday. Underwood said Melissa Ogorman, 45, of Lake Odessa, was driving west on U.S. 12 when she slowed …

The St. Joseph County Transportation Authority saw a ridership increase during its 2014-15 fiscal year compared to a year earlier. Steve Yorks, executive director of the Three Rivers-based agency, said 97,506 rides were given during the 12-month period that ended Sept. 30. That figure tops the 95,942 rides given the previous fiscal year. Yorks said the CTA has maintained a …

A 43-year-old Burr Oak man is in stable condition after he was struck by a car over the weekend in Burr Oak Township. Sheriff’s officials said 56-year-old Kevin Mayer, of Sturgis, was driving north on Burr Oak Road shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday when he was unable to avoid striking Ricaurte Hernandez, who was lying in the roadway, south of …

St. Joseph County’s board of commissioners last week agreed to extend its auditing services for one year with a Jackson-based firm. The county and Rehmann Robson concluded a three-year contract with the company’s performance of the county’s 2014 audit. County administrator Pat Yoder said finance director Joni Smith recommended the county renew its contract with the company for one year …

A White Pigeon teenager was treated for minor injuries after causing a two-vehicle accident last week in Cass County’s Porter Township. Cass County Deputy Philip Esarey said sheriff’s deputies responded to the intersection of Bellows and Sweet roads at 3:15 p.m. Friday following a report of a personal-injury accident. Deputies said a northbound vehicle driven by Sara Messenger, 17, crossed …

The Michigan Main Street Center has awarded its third and final Design Assistance service of the 2015 fiscal year to Bruce Monroe, property owner of the “Kelsey Block,” at 39 through 43 North Main Street in downtown Three Rivers. As part of the service, Monroe received an on-site consultation with Michigan Main Street Design Specialist Debra Johnson, as well as …

The man accused of murdering 11-year-old Jodi Parrack in Constantine eight years ago was in court this week in St. Joseph County. Daniel Furlong, 65, waived his preliminary investigation Wednesday in District Court. The move is related to Furlong’s charges of unlawful imprisonment and assault with a dangerous weapon from a July 28 incident with a 10-year-old girl at what …

A major step to create more parking for people doing business at the county courthouse was taken this week. Members of the county board Tuesday accepted an $18,000 bid from Centreville-based Adams Excavating for the demolition of a two-story house at the southeast corner of Dean and Burr Oak streets. Terms of the contract include all materials hauled from the …

An annual fall event that typically draws participants from at least four states is set to take place again this weekend. The Three Rivers Area Fall Color Tour, a one-day event started in the 1950s, returns Sunday with 13 stops. Sponsored by the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce, the tour is a self-guided event in which participants are able …

The second phase of St. Joseph County’s river trails plan was approved by the county commission Tuesday. The step involves Sturgis-based eStudio Design. It will be responsible for expanding the website St. Joe H2O, which can be found through a link on the county’s homepage. The second phase will feature the expansion to include marketing information related to real estate, …