Government

Three Rivers officials intend to look at a potential sidewalk snow-removal policy following concerns raised during a commission meeting last week. Three Rivers Board of Education member Waneta Truckey said children walking to and from school are forced into the street when sidewalks are not cleared of snow. The fact children are walking in the streets is a safety concern, …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week adopted a revised policy regarding the weather-related closure of county offices and buildings. In light of a two-day closing earlier this month due to snow and cold, the commission last week agreed that the decision to close county government will be made with input from the county board chairman, road commission …

The snowstorm that brought St. Joseph County to a standstill earlier this month came with a substantial price tag. Christopher Bolt, engineer/manager for the St. Joseph County Road Commission, said it’s estimated the agency spent nearly $225,000 during the seven-day period that began with the start of the storm Jan. 4. An average winter week will cost the agency about …

Four tires and rims were stolen from a vehicle at Vetter’s Chevrolet in Three Rivers Wednesday. State police investigators said the incident was reported around 8 a.m. and occurred overnight. The 18-inch tires and rims were taken from a Chevrolet “All-Star Edition” pickup truck.

A coroner says the three people killed in a massive pileup on I-94 in northwestern Indiana are a Michigan couple and a man from Chicago. LaPorte County coroner John Sullivan says the son of the Grand Rapids couple told him they were returning home from taking care of a relative in Wisconsin when they were caught up in Thursday’s crash. …

The disappearance of a Western Michigan University medical student continues to baffle police. Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller says they have no idea where Dr. Teleka Patrick is at this time. Fuller said it appears the 30-year-old resident at Borgess Medical Center left Kalamazoo willingly on December 5th and was headed to a relative’s home in Chicago. He added that …

The Newell A. and Grace A. Franks Fund, held by the Sturgis Area Community Foundation, is leading the way for the facelift and relocation of Sturgis’ historic depot building later this year. Working with the Sturgis Historical Society, Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce and the city of Sturgis, the Newell and Grace Franks Fund is offering grant funds for the …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week approved the sheriff department’s request to submit a Marine Safety Program grant application. The request is for more than $65,000 through state and federal sources, and allows the department to continue to man its seasonal Marine Patrol division in 2014. If approved, the grant would fund the services of one full-time …

The Constantine Village Council is looking for a new member, as Bob Brewer tendered his resignation at Monday’s council meeting. Brewer, a former police chief in the village, cited personal reasons for the resignation, which is effective April 1. Village manager Mark Honeysett said vacancies in elected office are to be filled by council appointment. Clerk Cindy LaFluer expressed an …

The village of Burr Oak has a new squad car for its police department. Spearheaded by Police Committee chairperson Brad Woodman and finance chairperson Alice Munoz, the process of a grant request yielded funds to help the village replace its 13-year-old squad patrol car with a 2014 Police Interceptor. The grant was provided by the United States Department of Agriculture. …