News

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’ Department has announced it is accepting reservations for its next boater safety program. Participants must be 14 years of age or older. The first class is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 2 and will take place at the Colon Fire Department. Classes on June 16, 23, 30 and July 7 will meet at the …

Two key employees for the village of Constantine have been awarded two-year contracts. Village manager Mark Honeysett and police chief Jim Bedell were recipients of the two-year agreements. Honeysett said he had been working without a contract for three years. The new agreement is almost identical to terms of the previous contract, including a $54,000 annual salary. Chief Bedell, meanwhile, …

Glen Oaks Community College officials have made attendance at orientation for new students a requirement. Mandatory at any one of the six sessions begins with students new to the school effective with the start of the fall 2012 semester. Sessions last four hours and are offered on various days of the week and at various times of day starting with …

Three bridges in St. Joseph County have been identified by the Michigan Department of Transportation as structurally compromised, according to the state’s 2011 inspections. The state agency this week released data on bridge safety throughout Michigan. Bridges in St. Joseph County on the list are in Three Rivers, near the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Main Street over the Rocky …

A longtime former member of the Three Rivers Zoning Board of Appeals has been appointed to the Three Rivers City Commission. Larry Matson was selected Tuesday from a pool of three candidates interested in filling the seat left vacant by Ken Baker. Baker resigned from the commission April 2 due to health-related issues. Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners during Tuesday’s …

Members of the Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education have given the green light to a $345,000 upgrade at Sturgis High School’s football stadium. Board members on Monday approved Paw Paw-based Hall Builders to oversee the installation of new, metal bleachers. District officials debated between two grades of aluminum and opted for a higher-quality metal, which costs more but will …

Property and several stolen guns taken last month from a White Pigeon bait and tackle store were recovered by investigators from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department. Deputies were dispatched Saturday to a residence in the 67000 block of Blue School Road in Constantine Township regarding an unwanted subject. During the investigation, deputies located and seized items from a breaking-and-entering …

The St. Joseph County Area Marine Corps League has a permanent meeting place and time. Following the group’s first meeting as its own chapter last weekend, members agreed to meet at 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at the FOP Hall, east of Centreville on M-86. Members had staged both an informational meeting and Saturday’s inaugural meeting at …

Victor Fitz announced Monday he will seek a third term as Cass County prosecutor. The 54-year-old Fitz was previously elected as prosecutor in 2004 and re-elected in 2008. Fitz was originally appointed to the position by Circuit Court Judge Michael Dodge in May 2003. A veteran law enforcement official, Fitz has served in the field of prosecution since 1983. He …

State Police have found the body of an elderly woman, who had been missing since Monday. Authorities searched all day Monday for 84-year-old Joanne Holden in an area near her home, at the intersection of Dutch Settlement and Day Roads. Her body was spotted from the air Tuesday morning by a State Police helicopter, about ½ mile southeast of her …