Government

The Michigan Department of Transportation is expected to perform maintenance work today in Three Rivers. As a result, the agency has announced a single-lane closure on eastbound M-60 between Wood and Washington streets from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. MDOT officials said traffic will be maintained with a flagging operation.

Sturgis firefighters were dispatched to the James and Lorene Eldridge residence on South Lakeview Street Tuesday morning. The fire was located in a hidden attic space across the rear of the home. Heavy fire, smoke, and water damage was sustained by the entire home. Firefighters were on scene for five hours.

St. Joseph County Commissioner Gerald Loudenslager announced Monday he will not be seeking re-election after his current term expires at the end of the year. The 67-year-old Loudenslager said with the county commission dropping from seven members to five in 2013, he does not wish to run against Rick Shaffer to represent a newly redrawn district that consolidates portions of …

The St. Joseph County Bar Association has bestowed its annual Liberty Bell Award to Eva Sylvester. The Three Rivers resident has a 45-year history serving as a legal secretary. She has spent 22 of those years working in St. Joseph County Probate Court under Judge Thomas Shumaker. District Court Judge Jeff Middleton announced Sylvester as the recipient of the 28th …

Schoolcraft Police Chief Bryan Campbell is urging people to be aware of a scam that was carried out against a victim this week. The larceny of money and jewelry is being investigated following an incident Wednesday in the 500 block of Osterhout Street. A 79-year-old female told police she was approached outside her residence by a trio of men who …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’ Department has announced it is accepting reservations for its next boater safety program. Participants must be 14 years of age or older. The first class is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 2 and will take place at the Colon Fire Department. Classes on June 16, 23, 30 and July 7 will meet at the …

Two key employees for the village of Constantine have been awarded two-year contracts. Village manager Mark Honeysett and police chief Jim Bedell were recipients of the two-year agreements. Honeysett said he had been working without a contract for three years. The new agreement is almost identical to terms of the previous contract, including a $54,000 annual salary. Chief Bedell, meanwhile, …

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 …