News

St. Joseph County government will benefit from fiber-optic connectivity, following action taken by the county’s board of commissioners Tuesday. The county’s deal with Ann Arbor-based Merit Network Inc. covers a five-year period and provides service at 20 mega bites per second. The agreement means the county courthouse and courts buildings will connect to Merit’s network and have faster service than …

Officials from the Constantine Area Foundation have announced they are accepting grant proposals from qualifying entities for the foundation’s fall 2013 grant period. Eligible recipients include 501(C)(3) organizations, public schools and governmental entities. The foundation encourages potential recipients to focus on improving working and living conditions in the village; youth and recreation opportunities; public, educational, charitable or charitable purposes; and …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has approved the appointment of Janell Hart of Three Rivers and Karen Beverly of Burr Oak, to the Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Board of St. Joseph County. The action was taken during Tuesday’s commission meeting and followed an interview with several prospective candidates. The board is now at full strength …

Four people were injured in a 2-car crash late Wednesday afternoon on M-40, south of Bair Lake Street. According to the Cass County Sheriff’s Department, 50-year-old Kathy Coleman of Dowagiac was northbound on M-40, when she turned west onto Bair Lake Street in front of a car driven by Carla Malone, age 46, of Three Rivers. Two passengers in the …

Michigan’s unemployment rate increased in August for the third consecutive month. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget says the state’s jobless rate last month edged upward by two-tenths of a percentage point to nine percent. Total employment declined by 7,000 over the month, while the number of unemployed rose by 7,000. There was little change in the state’s …

A pair of crowd-friendly events Tuesday drew large numbers of people to the St. Joseph County Grange Fair. Billed as “A Night of Destruction,” an off-road derby and demolition derby were well received by fans in the grandstand area. Meanwhile, a show ring to the east end of the fairgrounds featured chuck wagon races, an event in which 12, two-person …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday agreed to approve payment to finance director Joni Smith and human resources director Elishia Arver for their work earlier this year as fill-in county administrators. Both employees were paid $10,000 for providing professional services and responsibilities, as they worked together in the role of county administrator between the mid-January departure of …

A large quantity of tools and other items were stolen from a barn earlier last week in Constantine Township. Investigators with the Michigan State Police said the theft occurred either Sept. 13 or 14 in the 14000 block of Drummond Road. Hand tools, a lawn tractor, a chainsaw and a leaf blower were among the items taken. A department media …

The Marine Corps of St. Joseph County has announced it is hosting a ball, which is open to all veterans, active duty or families of veterans. Event organizers said the ball is to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the formation of the St. Joseph County group. Plenty of door prizes will be given away and other items will be auctioned …

Governor Rick Snyder has signed legislation making it more expensive to get some hunting and fishing licenses in Michigan, in an effort to better support Michigan’s natural resources. The measure sets up a new hunting and fishing fee system. Under the legislation, the cost of a typical deer hunting license will increase from $15 to $30 and the annual restricted …