Government

The Michigan Department of Transportation has issued a press release regarding potholes caused by sub-zero temperatures and near-record snowfall. MDOT officials said weather conditions are leading directly to severe potholes across the state, putting further strain on pavement and the efforts MDOT crews have put forth filling potholes during the various freeze-thaw cycles. The extreme pothole season on top of …

A Portage woman was cited for failure to yield following a two-vehicle accident Thursday in Florence Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Laura Rothwell, 53, was driving west ion Featherstone Road when she disregarded the stop sign at Lutz Road. Her car struck a southbound vehicle driven by 56-year-old Thomas Pifer of Nottawa. Rothwell was treated at the …

Three long guns, a pistol, video gaming devices and other items were stolen last week from a residence in Mottville Township. State police said the incident occurred between 6 and 6:30 a.m. Feb. 19 in the 10000 block of James Street. Police indicated they believe two men were a part of the breaking and entering, and it appears their vehicle …

An investigation ongoing for several weeks culminated Tuesday with the arrest of three people in the Meijer parking lot in Three Rivers. Sheriff’s department officials said narcotics investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit said the case involved methamphetamine delivery and production. Charges include delivery of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine precursors. One of the males also had …

Members of the Constantine Village Council have agreed to participate in the 2014 Mayors’ Exchange Day. Organized for the past 17 years by the Michigan Association of Mayors and Michigan Municipal League, the exchange will take place in May and involve Constantine Village President Pat Weiss and other municipal officials. The exchange community has not yet been identified. Council president …

Members of the Three Rivers City Commission could be less than a month from approving an ordinance regulating donation boxes. Following discussion on the matter during Tuesday’s meeting, Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners ironed out a few specifics to a draft ordinance presented Feb. 4 by city attorney Pat O’Malley. With the feedback presented Tuesday, O’Malley will make revisions and …

The Sturgis Electric Department has been given approval to proceed with the purchase of a new bucket truck and a mini-derrick aerial lift. The bucket truck and aerial lift will be purchased from Altec for a combined $ 221,528 and come from the motor-vehicle fund included in the current year’s budget. It is intended to replace a 2002 model in …

A Leonidas man was arrested Wednesday following a police pursuit originating in Sturgis. Randall Wood, 39, is being held on a parole absconder warrant along with charges of fleeing and eluding, and hit-and-run. According to Sturgis police, the pursuit began around 10:30 a.m., when a Sturgis officer in an unmarked patrol vehicle saw Wood’s vehicle strike a light pole near …

The Three Rivers Fire Department earlier this week responded to a report of a natural-gas break. Department officials said they received a call shortly before 5 p.m. Monday regarding the smell of gas at 96 Fifth Ave. after a representative from SEMCO sought assistance. The gas meter and electricity to the building was shut off, as its interior had a …

Three Rivers Fire Chief Dan Tomlinson has issued a special warning for people who own buildings with flat roofs. The existing snow-load and the forecasted rainfall should be of immediate concern for residential, commercial and industrial buildings with flat roofs. The combined accumulation of these loads could exceed the structural stability of the roof system, and could result in a …