Government

The St. Joseph County Road Commission has begun to install seasonal weight-restriction signs in anticipation of rules going into effect next week. The website stjoeroads.com or the agency’s Facebook page will have details regarding the date when restrictions will be enforced. Seasonal weight restriction permits can be downloaded from the website as well.

Two semi-tractor trailers collided late Monday at the intersection of U.S. 131 and U.S. 12 in White Pigeon. Michigan State Police said Thomas Kruzel, 54, of Niles, was driving east on U.S. 12 and began to make a left turn onto U.S. 131 when his truck struck a northbound semi driven by James Sheets, 61, of Roanoke, Ind. Sheets failed …

A Three Rivers man suspected of committing criminal sexual acts with children at his girlfriend’s daycare center was arraigned Tuesday in St. Joseph County District Court. Cary Jones, 46, faces nine counts of child criminal sexual conduct. Jones is suspected of the alleged crimes that allegedly took place at the Abracadabra childcare center beginning in 2011 until last month. Jones …

The City of Sturgis Department of Public Services is asking residents to be conscious of freezing water lines. With the cold temperatures and the depth of the frost, the risk of frozen water lines is extremely great. It is recommended that residents allow a slow stream of water to run from a single faucet. Anyone whose residence has frozen water …

Joseph “Jody” Hughes III of Colon and Marty Mullendore of Three Rivers have been named St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department “Employees of the Year.” The accolade was announced by Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite. The panel that makes the recommendations is comprised of four road patrol sergeants and four corrections unit sergeants. The nominees are chosen from the pool of employee-of-the-month recipients …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners will field six matters of new business this afternoon. The agenda for today’s 5 o’clock meeting features a public hearing regarding the potential adoption of the river trail master plan, a resolution to amend the county’s 9-1-1 service plan, a request to fill a part-time clerk position and a request for the use …

The St. Joseph County veterans services office is relocating from Annex II to the first floor of the historic courthouse in Centreville. The move is expected to be complete by the end of the day today. Stoney Summey, newly named director of veterans affairs and community outreach, also will be at that location.

Moving forward at a pace quicker than expected, a panel assembled to interview finalists for the appointed position of clerk and register of deeds will interview two finalists this week. St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman said Tabitha Wedge and Lindsay Oswald will return for second interviews Tuesday after they were a slate of five interviewed last week. …

Investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit performed a series of compliance checks last week. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, the SCAN unit was aided by parole agents from the Michigan Department of Corrections to ensure individuals were in compliance with terms of their probation or parole. Nine addresses were visited during Thursday’s compliance checks. …

Sturgis city commissioners last week discussed a special-use request, currently before the city planning commission, which would create a rental duplex out of a single-family home. Opinions were split on whether the city should hold the line on duplexes to encourage more owner-occupied homes or expand residential rental opportunities. The commission will ask the planning commission to review current ordinances …