News

Today is the first day of school in St. Joseph County and public school districts across the state. Locally, students in Colon Community Schools will see fully refurbished elementary and jr./sr. high buildings after a $15 million, district-wide building and technology upgrade was completed over the summer. In Three Rivers, new principals at Park and Norton elementary schools are in …

A small group of participants took part in the inaugural Paddle Poker Fest Sunday on the St. Joseph River. Sponsored by the St. Joseph County Conservation District, the fundraiser for the Centreville-based agency competed against early-morning rain and prospective participants who had made other holiday-weekend commitments. The six-mile ride down the St. Joseph River started in Mendon and concluded at …

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.

The St. Joseph County Transportation Authority was recognized last week by the Michigan Department of Transportation for attaining 10 years of service. CTA executive director Steve Yorks said the state agency issued plaques to transportation agencies across the state observing milestone anniversaries this year. He said the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority was acknowledged for being in existence for 10 …

A burglary to a residence is being investigated by the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department. Around 11:45 a.m. Monday, a complaint was made regarding an incident at a home in the 300 Block of West Fisher Street in Centreville. The incident occurred either Aug. 25 or 26 and entry was made through a door on the north side of the …

Crews from the Three Rivers Department of Public Services reported a sanitary sewer overflow from a manhole Wednesday afternoon in the 100 block of West River Drive. DPS officials said the overflow was the result of blockage caused by a rag. Crews cleared the obstruction and cleaned the area. As a result of the backup, approximately 400 gallons of sanitary …

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 …

Current and prospective volunteers for the Open Arms weekend homeless shelter in Three Rivers are invited to attend either of two training and orientation sessions. Stationed at the First United Methodist Church on North Main Street, the Three Rivers site operates in support of the county’s Keystone Place in Centreville by housing its overflow guests on Friday, Saturday and Sunday …

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 …