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Members of the St. Joseph County Community Corrections Advisory Board plan to maintain a strong focus on rehabilitating jail inmates charged with methamphetamine-related offenses. During their meeting last week, members of the 15-person committee said they intend to evaluate the success of a program called “Meth Men in Jail,” which is monitored by Spencer Price, substance abuse supervisor with the …

Organizers of the 25th Mendon Riverfest, which concluded its three-day run Saturday, said the milestone anniversary was a success. Riverfest Committee chairman Roger Cupp said a strong crowd all day Saturday made up for smaller-than-usual attendance Thursday and Friday. Highlights Saturday included a canoe swamp, which drew eight teams and featured a $100 cash prize won by a three-member team …

The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging’s Board of Directors has a pair of openings, following separate moves during its monthly meeting Wednesday. Lori Wright, who was tapped in June to head the board, submitted her letter of resignation, as announced by COA Director Lynn Coursey. According to Wright’s letter, her full-time job and a training commitment to the National …

Florence Township Supervisor Tom Young has filed paperwork to seek a recount, following his three-vote defeat in last week’s primary election. County Clerk Pattie Bender said the hand recount was requested Wednesday and will be conducted at 10 a.m. Aug. 24 in the second-floor conference room at the county courthouse. Young was defeated, 65-62, by Gordon Evilsizor in the Aug. …

Organizers of this weekend’s Mendon Riverfest have issued a reminder that many of the activities set to take place during the three-day celebration require advance registration. The festival’s website has sign-up forms for prospective participants in the Riverfest parade, its arts and crafts exhibit, Saturday’s Hornet Hustle 5K run, a fishing tournament, canoe swamp, canoe race, kayak race and Thursday’s …

Officials from the city of Sturgis have closed the RV dumping station near the municipal airport due to several incidents of improper and illegal use of the site. Road construction on West Lafayette Street this summer forced the station to be closed temporarily. Numerous incidents of illegal use and misuse, however, prompted city officials to close the site for good. …

The 18th Great Lakes Burn Camp in Kalamazoo County had the support of a number of St. Joseph County fire departments Sunday. Some of the 64 children attending the five-day camp at Pretty Lake in Texas Township were driven to the location by personnel from five departments in the county, as well as a team from the Marcellus Fire Department. …

St. Joseph County Drain Commissioner Jeff Wenzel will continue to serve the elected post through 2016 after voters during Tuesday’s primary election re-elected the Lake Templene resident by almost a 2-to-1 margin. Wenzel, who is completing his first, four-year term as drain commissioner, defeated Fabius Township resident David Hassenger, who previously served as drain commissioner for eight years before he …

The Three Rivers Police Department took a report of several subjects shoplifting at Meijer on Saturday. The driver of the vehicle failed to stop for police and continued north on US-131. The vehicle was disabled with Stop Sticks by assisting agencies, and stopped on Shaver Road in Portage. The suspects then fled on foot into a wooded area near Little …

County sheriff’s deputies attempted to stop a vehicle in Three Rivers on Saturday for a minor traffic violation. The driver, a 39-year-old White Pigeon resident, led deputies on a pursuit through Three Rivers, and eventually fled on foot in Florence Township. He was captured after a short foot chase and lodged in the county jail.