Government

The Michigan Court of Appeals in Grand Rapids concluded that the estate of Calista Springer cannot sue the state over the 16-year-old’s death four years ago. The opinion was rendered in response to Springer’s grandmother – Three Rivers resident Suzanne Langdon – who sued the State Department of Human Services and St. Joseph County’s Child Protective Services in 2010. Each …

The village of Centreville plans to repave three sections of Dean Street in order to alleviate the problem of standing water. Municipal officials this week said the impending work, which will cost the village $225,000, will be conducted in three phases. The three phases are Market to Ann streets, Ann to Mill streets and from Mill Street north to the …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is continuing its investigation into illegal dumping of tires in Constantine Township. Investigators were notified by the St. Joseph County Road Commission about a location where a number of tires were discarded alongside a roadway. The sheriff’s department is working with the tire manufacturers to determine the original owners of the tires. Investigators believe …

Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners on Tuesday approved a special-exception-use permit for Menards. As a result, the Wisconsin-based home-improvement center is clear to break ground on its 215,000-square-foot store on the south side of Broadway Road, just west of U.S. 131. City officials said Menards representatives indicated they would like to break ground as soon as possible in …

The Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority last week approved the use of its cables for organizations wishing to promote upcoming events. The cables, which are in place throughout the downtown section of Main Street, allow vertical banners to be hung. Use of the cables will be granted after review by DDA Director Christy Trammell and a fee to cover the …

The fate of where the Weenie Kings push-cart hot dog stand will set up for business in 2012 remains unresolved. Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners on Tuesday discussed the situation after being told by Weenie Kings proprietor Mike King that the Three Rivers Public Library Board has approved a policy that prohibits commerce from taking place in the …

An undisclosed amount of money was taken during an armed robbery shortly before 3 a.m. Monday at the Admiral gas station in Sturgis. Investigators from the Sturgis Police Department responded to the East Chicago Road station, where the clerk said a white man about six feet tall and wearing an orange bandana over the lower half of his face demanded …

Jeff Zimont has been named the new chairman of the Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority. Friday’s move brings an end to the 3 1/2-year chairmanship of Deb Grubbs. She indicated she preferred to not continue the role of chairperson but will serve as vice-chair. Zimont is a past president of the Constantine Public Schools Board of Education.

Emergency crews responded Wednesday afternoon to a diesel fuel spill on U.S. 131 in northern St. Joseph County. Sheriff’s Department personnel said a semi tractor-trailer was heading north when its driver’s side, front tire blew out. The force of the blown tire punctured the fuel tank, investigators said. Traffic was reduced to one lane while emergency personnel tended to the …

State Rep. Matt Lori said he has filed paperwork to make official his candidacy for re-election this fall. Lori, 55, is starting the final year of his second two-year term. By law, he can serve in the position for a total of three, two-year terms. The Constantine-area resident and former sheriff of St. Joseph County said he has enjoyed serving …