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The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners approved a three-year contract with three units from the sheriff’s department Tuesday. The five-person command unit, the road unit and its 15 members, and a roster of 17 employees in the corrections unit are under contract through the end of 2015. Terms of the contract include 2 percent pay increases in 2013 and …

The St. Joseph County “One Book, One County” group is reminding the public it has one week to finish reading “Methland” before author Nick Reding will appear in Three Rivers to discuss the novel. Though representatives from the county’s libraries that make up “One Book, One County” already had an author presentation this year, Reding’s schedule in 2013 likely would …

A Colon man was seriously injured Friday evening in a 1-car crash on Blossom Road in Leonidas Township. 40-year-old Steven McClish lost control of the vehicle he was driving, and it overturned, ejecting him. McClish was airlifted to Borgess Medical Center for treatment.

Nearly 100 people toured newly remodeled and upgraded Colon Jr./Sr. High and Colon Elementary schools during a public open house Tuesday. Preceded by a ceremonial ribbon cutting, the tours mark the near completion of a 15-month, $15 million improvement of the district’s three buildings and upgrades of its technology to the latest available. Work at Leonidas School and an open …

Margaret Shultz has been named volunteer services specialist for St. Joseph County United Way, the Centreville-based agency announced this week. Shultz, who recently retired from the Department of Human Services, will connect with all non-profits in St. Joseph County, building a database of their volunteer activities and needs. United Way executive director Kelly Hostetler said the project is something she …

The third “Generate Sturgis” event last week resulted in an award of $1,000 to a White Pigeon teacher for the concept of what she called Make-It, Take-It. “Generate Sturgis,” where residents with unique and practical business ideas pitch their concepts to city officials, drew five contestants last week. Theresa Hazard’s concept was voted the best idea, which called for a …

White Pigeon Community Schools Superintendent Ron Drzewicki  said the district is asking its residents to participate in a 15-minute, online survey. He said the district has partnered with the Michigan Association of School Boards to gain perceptions, input and feedback to foster the district’s strategic-planning and goal-setting process. Drzewicki said responses will remain anonymous and confidential. The survey will be …

Constantine Middle School was the recipient of a $4,500 grant from the Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company. During a presentation Saturday, Josh Onken, site operations manager for the Constantine plant, made the donation. District officials said the grant will be used to purchase new library books and create a program to encourage reading. Onken said the …

One-hundred and forty-four participants raised about $8,600 during Saturday’s third annual Jonathan Edds Memorial 5K Run and Walk in White Pigeon. The event is staged in memory of the White Pigeon native who was killed during combat in Iraq in 2007. Merlin Miller of White Pigeon was the first participant to cross the finish line, while Megan Niblock of Constantine …

Volunteers from the St. Joseph County United Way will be at various intersections next week handing out donuts as a thank you to St. Joseph County for its support of the Centreville-based agency. The gesture also is a reminder that the so-called Donut Drive means the local United Way is kicking off its 2013 campaign. Executive Director Kelly Hostetler said …