Government

Three bridges in St. Joseph County have been identified by the Michigan Department of Transportation as structurally compromised, according to the state’s 2011 inspections. The state agency this week released data on bridge safety throughout Michigan. Bridges in St. Joseph County on the list are in Three Rivers, near the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Main Street over the Rocky …

A longtime former member of the Three Rivers Zoning Board of Appeals has been appointed to the Three Rivers City Commission. Larry Matson was selected Tuesday from a pool of three candidates interested in filling the seat left vacant by Ken Baker. Baker resigned from the commission April 2 due to health-related issues. Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners during Tuesday’s …

Property and several stolen guns taken last month from a White Pigeon bait and tackle store were recovered by investigators from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department. Deputies were dispatched Saturday to a residence in the 67000 block of Blue School Road in Constantine Township regarding an unwanted subject. During the investigation, deputies located and seized items from a breaking-and-entering …

Victor Fitz announced Monday he will seek a third term as Cass County prosecutor. The 54-year-old Fitz was previously elected as prosecutor in 2004 and re-elected in 2008. Fitz was originally appointed to the position by Circuit Court Judge Michael Dodge in May 2003. A veteran law enforcement official, Fitz has served in the field of prosecution since 1983. He …

State Police have found the body of an elderly woman, who had been missing since Monday. Authorities searched all day Monday for 84-year-old Joanne Holden in an area near her home, at the intersection of Dutch Settlement and Day Roads. Her body was spotted from the air Tuesday morning by a State Police helicopter, about ½ mile southeast of her …

St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough announced last week he will be seeking re-election to another four-year term in November. The 32-year-old McDonough is in the fourth year of his initial four-year term after upsetting incumbent Doug Fisher in 2008. McDonough said representing the citizens of St. Joseph County has been an honor and he indicated he hopes to continue …

A millage renewal to support the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging is expected to appear on a countywide ballot later this year. The amount of the renewal, however, is being debated by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. During Friday’s executive committee meeting, which drew all seven commissioners, discussion stemmed from the three-quarters of a mill expiring this …

The first of what could well be a number of trailway master plan meetings in Sturgis took place last week. About 50 people attended the session, which centered on ideas and potential routes, corridors and connections for non-motorized traffic. Participants noted existing roadways – including Congress and West streets in Sturgis – along with abandoned railroad rights-of-way could be utilized …

A Constantine man was seriously injured in a 1-car crash Saturday evening on Blue School Road in Mottville Township. 21-year-old Kevin Griffin was ejected from the vehicle after it left the road and struck two trees. He was airlifted to Bronson Methodist Hospital for treatment.

After just two years celebrating Dam Days, the city of Sturgis is changing the name and focus of its annual community celebration. Municipal officials were notified this week that the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce is going to call the 2012 festival Sturgis Fest. Cathi Abbs, chamber director, said “Where the Good Times Roll,” is the theme of the inaugural …