Government

A consultant hired to assess St. Joseph County’s animal-control facility suggested the current building could be gutted and reconfigured instead of constructing a new building. St. Joseph County Animal Control Advisory Board Chair Bev Levett and member Suzanne Lee told panel members Wednesday that engineer Scott Learned made the observation during his Feb. 6, half-day tour of the county-owned building. …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has approved a new position at the sheriff’s department, where a diversion program is expected to better meet the needs of people requiring mental-health service evaluations. During Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners approved the position of director of assessment. The specialist’s salary will come out of a $350,000 grant administered by the state to the …

A family of six was left homeless after their home was destroyed by fire over the weekend. Burr Oak firefighters were called to Spade Road, between Lafayette and Witt Lake roads, around 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The home and its contents were a complete loss. The family has four children, three boys ages 4, 9 and 10, and a girl, 6. …

The Three Rivers City Commission on Tuesday took a step closer to establishing a sidewalk snow removal ordinance. After commenting on a draft prepared by city attorney Pat O’Malley, Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners directed O’Malley to document a small number of revisions and present a potential final draft at the commission’s March 4 meeting. The issue resurfaced in January …

The state of Michigan is providing a credit to help low-income, working families offset home-heating expenses this winter. State Rep. Matt Lori said homeowners and renters alike may qualify for the credit even if they do not owe any Michigan income tax and do not file an income tax for 2013. And unlike most tax credits, which need to be …

Six people were hurt in a huge 40-vehicle pile-up on Interstate 94 in Van Buren County that resulted in the highway being shut down for several hours Monday night. The crash involved about 20 semi trucks and happened during the evening commute as heavy snow fell throughout the area. The Interstate re-opened after the wreckage was finally cleared-up around 3:30 …

The Sturgis Department of Public Services is asking its residents to be conscious of freezing water lines. DPS officials said with the depth of frost, the department is receiving an abundance of calls regarding frozen water lines. To alleviate the problem, DPS officials suggest allowing a stream of water to run from a single faucet. Officials in Burr Oak, Centreville, …

St. Joseph County Sheriff deputies were dispatched Saturday to a call regarding an intoxicated man passed out behind Maria’s restaurant in Sturgis. When deputies arrived they were told by employees the man was picked up by family members and transported home. Later that night, however, deputies were contacted regarding a 31-year-old old male admitted to Lagrange County Hospital with severe …

Three Rivers city officials are in the midst of working out a potential ordinance regulating collection boxes. The matter was most recently discussed at the commission’s Feb. 4 meeting, when Mayor Tom Lowry indicated his preference for the boxes to be banned within the city limits. Lowry said the boxes take resources away from the community and do not provide …

The start date for the Centreville Police Department has been delayed indefinitely until a chief is hired. The agency was supposed to begin today after deciding to not renew its contract with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department. The sheriff’s office had provided police coverage for the municipality for more than 20 years, but village officials believe having a community …