Government

A longtime Centreville-area resident has committed to running for a seat to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Florence Township resident Barry Miller has filed paperwork to challenge Rick Shaffer in November for what will be the new-look Third District. Effective in 2013, the district will cover Lockport, Nottawa, Sherman and Florence townships. The 39-year-old Miller, who runs a …

Investigators from the Michigan State Police District headquarters in Paw Paw said a Sturgis man who escaped last week from a Thumb-area correctional facility was captured Thursday night. Officials said 31-year-old Darrell Stallard left a work crew Monday near the Tuscola County facility where he was incarcerated. Through previous arrangements, Stallard was given a ride to Sturgis from two accomplices. …

St. Joseph County Animal Control Officer Tom Miller said the last of five threatening pit bulls, thought to have been abandoned late last month at Meyer Broadway Park, has been killed. Miller said the dog was found living in the area around Westside Landfill. It had avoided a number of traps and, as a result, was shot by a deputy …

A pair of St. Joseph County commissioners has asked Sturgis municipal officials to weigh in on the concept of a Commission on Aging facility in Sturgis. Commissioners John Dobberteen and Don Eaton approached city leaders this week and asked for input into the proposed concept. The COA has a fund balance of about $1.4 million and the county commissioners have …

Schoolcraft Police Chief Bryan Campbell issued a media release Thursday, detailing an incident involving a motorcyclist involved in a crash after traveling in excess of 100 miles an hour. Campbell said a 47-year-old Vicksburg man was taken to the Kalamazoo County Jail following Wednesday night’s pursuit involving area police agencies. The driver was stopped after 11 p.m. for erratic driving. During …

The village of Centreville is looking for a new president to lead its village council. Barb Parker, a council member for 15 years – including the last seven as president – announced her resignation Monday. Parker said she was not planning to seek re-election later this year, but decided to resign for family and other reasons. Parker said she would …

A 29-year-old Three Rivers woman was cited for speeding and driving with an expired license, following a single-vehicle accident at 2 a.m. Wednesday in Fabius Township. A media release from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department stated Jennifer Holmes drove off the roadway near Coon Hollow Road and Lakeshore Drive. Her vehicle struck a mailbox as the car left the …

Michigan State Police at White Pigeon are warning residents to be aware of a driveway-paving scam that was unsuccessfully executed recently in White Pigeon Township. Investigators said a group of workers claiming to have excess asphalt from another job use a high-pressure tactic in hopes of scamming thousands of dollars from unwitting victims. A phony estimate is presented to potential …

Sturgis municipal officials have decided to pay off a $648,000 loan five years earlier than scheduled in order to save money on interest charges. City Manager Mike Hughes said the early payoff means the city will save $31,700 in interest from its loan with Century Bank and Trust. The original agreement called for equal payments over a 15-year period, starting …

Manhole repairs to be performed by crews from the Michigan Department of Transportation Thursday will result in a lane closure in Three Rivers. MDOT said the closure will be on the southbound U.S. 131 Business Loop, between Hoffman and Adams streets. The agency anticipates the lane closures will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.