News

Winners of the annual Scarecrow Fest, staged during Sunday’s Three Rivers Fall Color Tour, were announced this week by the St. Joseph County Parks and Recreation Department. A lower-than-usual number of entries took part in the event at Meyer Broadway Park, where nearly 150 votes were cast. Overall winner was Centreville’s Larry Brueck, who also claimed an award for scariest …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has set a time and date for a work session next week. Commissioners will meet at 4 p.m. Thursday at the county courthouse to discuss two matters. Chairman Rick Shaffer said time will be taken to discuss the impending vacancy of the county administrator’s position. Current administrator Judy West-Wing plans to retire in …

A man has been charged with killing a southwestern Michigan couple, nearly three years after the victims were found in their home.  Keith Lintz of Niles is charged with first-degree murder and a gun crime. Authorities say Carolyn and John Tarwacki were beaten, stabbed and shot in February 2010. They lived in the Niles area.  A statement Thursday by the …

Three-quarters of a $400,000 donation presented last week to the city of Three Rivers has been designated to a newly created capital-improvement fund. During Tuesday’s city commission meeting, Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners agreed to place $300,000 into the capital-improvement fund the city created as a result of the financial windfall. Though a specific use for the money has not …

Two Sturgis men who were apprehended after they robbed a convenience store last weekend have been arraigned in St. Joseph County District Court. Robyn Homan, 33, and Ian Baker, 26, were charged with one count of unarmed robbery. In addition, Homan was charged with two counts of resisting and obstructing an officer. Bond has been set at $20,000 following their …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners followed through on their financial commitment toward an enhanced drug-enforcement unit that will focus on people behind methamphetamine production and sales. During Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners agreed to their part of the three-way funding mechanism that includes partnerships with the cities of Sturgis and Three Rivers. Previously, the commission accepted the funding …

The Colon Magicians’ Walk of Fame has plans to induct three new members next summer. With the inaugural trio of inductees recognized at the 2012 Abbott’s Magic Get-Together, the next class will include Wilma Rench, who has played the organ at the Get-Together for more than 50 years. Two other inductees will be named later. The late Monk Watson and …

Members of the Three Rivers City Commission later this year are expected to award a contract for the job of redesigning the downtown mural mall. Steven Bishop, representing Grand Rapids-based Fleis and VanDenBrink Engineering presented drawings of the proposed project to Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting. Funding for the nearly $1 million project came from a $750,000 …

Organizers of Sunday’s Three Rivers Area Fall Color Tour said it appears attendance at the annual event was down compared to previous years due to questionable weather. Still, Meyer Broadway Park was the most popular destination, as the scarecrow contest – sponsored by the St. Joseph County Parks and Recreation Department – complemented a number of activities at the location. …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday recognized 30 people observing milestone anniversaries as county employees. Soon-to-be-retired county administrator Judy West-Wing led the way with 30 years of service. Honored for their silver anniversary as county employees were Larry Diekman, Terry Hammond, Bernice Metzger, Tab Wedge, Pat Kulikowski, Tom Miller and Dan Kennedy. Also singled out Tuesday were …