News

Three Rivers Community Schools has lost its director of operations, as Steve Lucas took a job with the Cass County Road Commission. Lucas will become managing director of the Cass County Road Commission. He is stepping into a job previously held by Christopher Bolt, who was splitting the task with St. Joseph County. A 20-year school district employee, Lucas’ last …

Several items of value were stolen from a Sturgis residence last week. State police said the incident occurred between 3 and 4:30 p.m. Thursday at a residence near the intersection of Vinewood and Lockwood streets. Access was gained through forced entry. On the same day, a breaking-and-entering incident took place between 6:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the 64000 block …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has reached an employment agreement with Lori Barczak to serve as juvenile day treatment supervisor. During action at last week’s commission meeting, the five-member panel OK’d the employment agreement, including a $41,000 annual salary plus benefits. Barczak’s hiring is under the condition of an at-will employee.

Motor-vehicle offenses, including the number of drunken drivers, decreased in St. Joseph County last year compared to 2012. District Court Judge Jeff Middleton provided details during his annual report Tuesday before the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. His news, however, came with a caveat, as Middleton said he suspects the decrease was the result of fewer law-enforcement officials on …

State Rep. Matt Lori on Thursday commended House approval of a legislative package to fund repairs to Michigan’s transportation system. He called the action a good first step toward a sustainable solution. Lori voted in favor of the bills that will dedicate $450 million to help fix the state’s transportation system. The increased funding would go into effect in 2015. …

An audio and video system was stolen Wednesday from a vehicle in Park Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the truck was parked on private property in the 54000 block of Wilbur Road. Details regarding access into the vehicle were not indicated in a department media release.

St. Joseph County’s Access to Care task force has been recognized as a Home Town hero by the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. The award is granted to individuals and groups who have worked above and beyond to improve the public’s health. Agency health officer Steve Todd and Three Rivers Health CEO Bill Russell received the award for the task …

A 58-year-old Three Rivers man was charged with operating while intoxicated following a traffic stop in Lockport Township. State police officials said a motorist called 911 to report seeing the man drinking beer while driving on U.S. 131 in the Three Rivers area. Troopers spotted the vehicle, a 2006 GMC Sierra, and pulled it over on Lovers Lane, near Enterprise …

St. Joseph County Register of Deeds Pattie Bender provided details this week related to the development of a program using a red-flag system to identify meth houses. During her annual report presented at Tuesday’s county commission meeting, Bender said she and a team of county officials met last year with Three Rivers attorney Pat O’Malley. The focus was to discuss …

Two people were arrested after state police responded to a report of shots being fired from a passing vehicle in Park Township. According to a department media release, a homeowner in the area of Mint and Brown roads alerted officials to the situation around 8:20 p.m. Saturday. Troopers located the car described to them by the witness and it was …