News

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 …

The Mendon Kiwanis Club is seeking additional participants interested in being a part of the 57th Mendon Kiwanis Showboat fundraiser event in November. “The Not So Wild West” is this year’s theme, and will feature songs and skits from the old west. Kiwanis members would like to extend an invitation to all voices in St. Joseph County to be included …

Attendance for Saturday’s second Colon Historic Home and Business Tour was down compared to the inaugural event in 2011. Still, co-organizer Sherry Engle said the 10-stop, self-guided tour managed to raise funds to help the Colon-based Community Historical Museum cover costs related to repairs around the building’s steeple. The tour featured four houses, four businesses, a church and the historical …

The St. Joseph County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security is offering the chance to win one of three weather radios, awarded daily at the St. Joseph County Grange Fair. Registration slips are available at the Emergency Management/Homeland Security display near the southwest corner of the racetrack. Officials from the agency said three tickets will be drawn daily at …

Authorities say a 58-year-old man is charged in the death of his 56-year-old ex-wife, whose body was found inside her southwestern Michigan apartment. Kalamazoo County’s Chief Assistant Prosecutor Carrie Klein says the open murder charge was authorized Saturday against Clinton Edward Smith. He was jailed and scheduled for arraignment by video on Monday afternoon. The prosecutor’s office said Monday morning …

Two people were arrested Friday at a Colon Township residence after police discovered the production of methamphetamine. The St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit responded to a residence in the 28000 block of Bonham Road in response to a tip regarding suspected drug activity. SCAN unit members found an active, one-pot meth lab and a second inactive lab inside the …

The Three Rivers City Commission last week approved the purchase of new tubing, fittings, tees and leak-detection sensors. The work, including the rebuilding of all regulators, is designated for the Wastewater Treatment Plant in response to a recommendation by the Chlorine Institute and the equipment manufacturer, which suggest the annual replacement and maintenance. Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners authorized $16,000 …