Government

The number of births in St. Joseph County in 2011 exceeded the number of deaths, according to data provided by County Clerk Pattie Bender. Bender, the county’s most tenured employee with more than 41 years of employment, presented her annual report Tuesday to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Bender said 717 people were born in the county in …

A potential change in the leadership of the Three Rivers Public Library Board could be forthcoming. Mayor Tom Lowry and members of the Three Rivers City Commission on Tuesday discussed the option of removing Sharon Rogers as president of the library board. Commissioners, however, agreed to wait until after the library board stages its monthly meeting Tuesday next week and …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has put off at least until April setting the date for a public hearing on a millage renewal request in support of the county’s E-911 Central Dispatch. Commissioners on Tuesday agreed to ask E-911 Central Dispatch Director Jonathan Uribe to provide them a long-term financial picture, including the department’s potential major purchases and …

Three Rivers Police are reporting that a 46-year-old man believed to be from Indiana has been approaching women in downtown Three Rivers and acting in a suspicious manner. Police said they believe the man is Jerry Hillegas. They said Hillegas over the weekend confronted a woman at a downtown business and asked if she would contribute to the Children’s Museum …

St. Joseph County Treasurer Judie Ratering announced Monday that she has filed her paperwork to run for election to the post for its four-year term starting in January. Ratering, a 52-year-old Park Township resident, was appointed to the position earlier this year, as she has stepped in for Phyllis Bainbridge. Bainbridge retired for health reasons, though her term doesn’t expire …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department has issued an alert to residents in the area of Wilbur Road in Park Township. Earlier this month, a number of unlocked vehicles were entered and many items, including a GPS unit, cash and a cell phone accessory were stolen. In all cases where vehicles were entered, doors were left unlocked. The sheriff’s department …

Colon firefighters were called out to a house fire Monday afternoon on Willow Drive. One home was engulfed in flames, and strong winds sent flames to a neighboring home. Both houses sustained heavy damage. Firefighters were on scene for about 4 hours. The Colon Fire Department was assisted by Burr Oak, Leonidas, and Mendon. The Centreville Fire Department was dispatched …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department has received a state grant to help promote traffic safety with the use of new and upgraded equipment. Sheriff Brad Balk said the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police recently awarded the grant as part of an Excellence in Traffic Safety award. A $3,000 grant from the Michigan Office of Highway Safety and Planning …

Fire crews from White Pigeon and Constantine responded Friday afternoon to Mottville Township, where an abandoned house was on fire. The residence, on Riverside Drive, was already partially collapsed. A cause of the fire has yet to be determined, but fire officials said embers from a nearby burning leaf pile could have triggered the blaze. The structure was completely destroyed.

The Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority has announced it was awarded a $750,000 grant for making handicap-accessible upgrades, and lighting and sidewalk improvements. Bestowed by Michigan Strategic Fund, the grant will cover a large portion of expenses related to making the Downtown Mural Mall ADA-compliant to ensure easy access between Railroad Drive and Main Street. Steps currently in place will …