News

A 26-year-old Constantine woman was charged with a list of offenses following an incident at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday last week in the town of LaGrange, Ind. An officer responding to a call of a disturbance at a residence in the 500 block of East Michigan Street was allegedly struck in the face while trying to arrest Rachael Gieber, a Constantine …

A lifelong Park Township resident has accepted an offer to serve as St. Joseph County treasurer. Judie Ratering will serve the rest of 2012 as treasurer following a consensus reached early Thursday by a three-member panel. The 52-year-old Ratering will succeed Phyllis Bainbridge, who is retiring next week due to health issues. Ratering currently serves as a mortgage lender at …

Glen Oaks Community College has announced that nominations are being accepted for the E. J. Shaheen Chair for Teaching Excellence award. Current and former students, staff and community members are invited to nominate a full-time faculty member. This appointment is awarded on an annual basis to a faculty member at Glen Oaks Community College who exemplifies high professional standards, demonstrates …

The Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education this week approved the purchase of a new bus for the 2012-13 academic year. During action Monday, the district’s board of education approved borrowing enough money to purchase a 2013 model. The 77-seat bus will come with a price tag of almost $88,000, district officials said. The budgeted item was targeted when …

The Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority has announced it will stage a work session in mid February. The event takes place 3 to 5 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Three Rivers Area Chamber. According to an announcement about the meeting, its purpose is to discuss goals and long-term goals during its 2013 fiscal year.

The St. Joseph County Transportation Authority has unveiled the newest addition to its fleet. The Three Rivers-based agency on Tuesday took delivery of a 2011 Dodge Caravan. The new vehicle seats six but is being showcased by CTA Executive Director Steve Yorks for its vehicle-wrap exterior featuring a large-scale road map of St. Joseph County. Yorks said the design, which …

Members of the White Pigeon Community Schools Board of Education agreed last week to purchase a pair of school buses. The two vehicles will come with a total price tag of about $143,000 and will be added to the district’s 14-bus fleet in the fall. After a motion to approve two new buses failed to garner a second, the board …

Tax-filing assistance for people who are elderly or in a moderate-to-low income bracket will be available in St. Joseph County. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program will be offered at Community Head Start buildings in Three Rivers and Sturgis. The free service provides tax assistance to families with a household income of $50,000 or less annually. Volunteer tax preparers are …

A LaGrange County woman was treated for injuries sustained after she used gasoline to relight a coal stove in her basement. The woman, whose name and age were not released by the Shipshewana Fire Department, was burned after the coal stove burst into flames with the application of gasoline. The blaze caught the basement on fire, causing significant fire, smoke …

A former village council member has been appointed to serve on the Constantine Sewer Ad Hoc Committee. Scott Chiddister, a past chairman of the committee, was put on the panel following a vote by members of the Constantine Village Council last week. Chiddister’s addition to the committee, and his expertise as an engineer and former municipal official, could come in …