Homepage Featured General Center

St. Joseph County treasurer Judith Ratering has included the county in a state program designed to assist homeowners who have fallen behind on their property taxes. “Help for Hardest Hit; Step Forward, Michigan” is a state initiative to assist homeowners who have endured a financial hardship and are unable to catch up on their property taxes. Discussing the program last …

St. Joseph County’s search for a new administrator resulted in an unexpected selection Tuesday. J. Patrick Yoder, who held the position from its inception in 1990 until 1994, has accepted the job, which is the highest, non-elected position in county government. A native of Suttons Bay, the 63-year-old Yoder met with commissioners during a work session to discuss his potential …

A loud exhaust prompted a trooper from the Michigan State Police to stop a vehicle last Wednesday on U.S. 12 in Burr Oak Township. The driver, a 22-year-old Bronson resident, was driving on a suspended license and also was found to be wanted on a warrant for failure to appear on an unspecified charge, police said. He posted a cash …

A 44-year-old Three Rivers woman was issued a moving violation after the vehicle she was driving rear-ended a school bus last week in Park Township. Investigators from the White Pigeon detachment of the Michigan State Police said the incident occurred at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the railroad crossing on Moorepark Road, just east of U.S. 131. Police said the Three …

White Pigeon Community Schools Superintendent Ron Drzewicki said Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. and TowerPinkster, will be hosting a contractor outreach meeting 3 to 4 p.m. Feb. 26 at Central Elementary School. The meeting – open to any licensed and bonded contractor – will focus on bid requirements and promote participation in construction projects to be funded by a five-year, 3-mill sinking fund …

State Rep. Matt Lori, who serves on the House Appropriations Committee, has issued a statement regarding Gov. Rick Snyder’s budget presentation. Lori, a Constantine-area resident, said he is looking forward to examining Snyder’s budget proposal in detail. Lori said Snyder opened the door to discussion on how legislators spend taxpayers’ money, and it is Lori’s goal to make sure legislators …

Superintendents from St. Joseph County’s nine school districts are being asked to consider the validity of a countywide school millage request. During a meeting involving school board members from across the county last week at Burr Oak High School, the question was revisited after being originally raised during a countywide meeting in October. While the amount potentially being sought has …

The St. Joseph County Animal Control Advisory Board had a long list of accomplishments in 2012, its first full year. Former board chairperson Lynda Molter presented the panel’s inaugural annual report to members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Tuesday. Molter said a major accomplishment was the animal shelter getting rid of its gas chamber, a euthanasia chamber …

A business founded in Sturgis nine years ago is moving its operations to LaGrange County, Ind. Lake Area Designs, which manufactures wood furniture and custom moulding for the recreational-vehicle industry, was awarded a tax abatement earlier this week by officials from the town of LaGrange. Lake Area Designs is expected to invest $1.5 million to lease and renovate a 24,000-square-foot …

A spring completion date for the Three Rivers Menard’s home-improvement store appears to be on track. Construction officials said construction of the 215,000-square-foot business is on pace to open in April, as projected. The store is under construction on the south side of Broadway Road, just west of U.S. 131. Development started in July. The new Menard’s is expected to …