Government

The St. Joseph County Conservation District completed its sixth river cleanup for 2012 last weekend and drew a total of 17 volunteers. The effort started at Farrand Road bridge in Colon Township and covered nearly three miles, ending at the Jacksonburg Road bridge in Leonidas Township. Event organizers estimated nearly 500 pounds of debris was removed from the river. The …

The Sturgis Police Department has issued a media release, indicating it is looking for 37-year-old Chutis  Hicks Jr. Hicks was reported missing last Friday from his residence in the 100 block of North Nottawa Street. Officers advise that caution should be exercised if Hicks is spotted, as his mental state could be volatile. He may be in the Kalamazoo area …

A recount conducted Friday by the St. Joseph County Board of Election Canvassers confirmed Gordon Evilsizor’s primary-election win as Florence Township supervisor. The recount was sought by incumbent Tom Young, who has served the past 10 of his 19 years on the township board as its supervisor. The election-night tally showed Evilsizor with a three-vote margin, 65-62. Following last week’s …

A 45-year-old man from Cass County was charged with a number of offenses after he was found in the company of a 15-year-old girl he allegedly courted through the Internet. Cass County Sheriff’s Department investigators said Dean Young, who had recently moved from Arizona to a residence he shared with a friend in the unincorporated community of Union, was charged …

Mayor Tom Lowry and members of the Three Rivers City Commission have agreed to a tax-abatement request sought by Precision Wire Forms. The action was taken during Tuesday’s meeting, when Lowry and commissioners mulled the 12-year Industrial Facilities Tax-Exemption Certificate for the West Broadway Road business. Company officials indicated Precision Wire Forms is expected to make a $1.3 million investment …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department has unveiled the newest addition to its marine patrol. Sheriff Brad Balk and Captain Jason Bingaman this week showed off its newest boat, a Boston Whaler that features a side-scan sonar device. Thanks to nearly $3,500 in donations, the department was able to purchase the boat and sonar unit. The boat was named “Daniella,” …

Two snowmobiles and a trailer were stolen either Aug. 4 or 5 from a location in the 62000 block of M-60, in Fabius Township. State police investigators from the White Pigeon detachment are looking for clues related to the theft of a Haulmark trailer that contained the two 1997 Yamaha snowmobiles. Investigators said the trailer is missing its front door.

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners have appointed a Sturgis resident to fill one of two vacancies on the county’s Commission on Aging Board of Directors. Stephen Boland was tapped to replace Lori Wright, who announced her resignation earlier this month due to work- and military-related commitments. Boland is a member of an ad hoc committee looking …

A dark-colored minivan is a clue investigators are using in hopes of catching the party responsible for the theft of copper wire from an irrigation system in Leonidas Township. Michigan State Police officials said about 1,200 feet of overhead irrigation wire was stolen between Aug. 2 and 5 from a field at the intersection of Shorts Road and M-60.

A listing of candidates for the Constantine Village Council contains inaccurate information on the St. Joseph County website. Constantine Township Clerk Marti Brown said she has been in touch with County Clerk Pattie Bender regarding the erroneous information. Bender is currently at the state’s county clerk’s convention and indicated the information on the website would be corrected by Monday. In …