News

Constantine Village Council member Cindy LaFleur has withdrawn her candidacy for re-election and chosen instead to seek a position with the Constantine Township Board of Trustees. County Clerk Pattie Bender said LaFleur had submitted petitions for both posts but, by law, would be eligible to represent only one entity. Late Friday, LaFleur made arrangements through Bender’s office to drop her …

Organizers of the 25th Mendon Riverfest, which concluded its three-day run Saturday, said the milestone anniversary was a success. Riverfest Committee chairman Roger Cupp said a strong crowd all day Saturday made up for smaller-than-usual attendance Thursday and Friday. Highlights Saturday included a canoe swamp, which drew eight teams and featured a $100 cash prize won by a three-member team …

One-hundred and forty-four participants raised about $8,600 during Saturday’s third annual Jonathan Edds Memorial 5K Run and Walk in White Pigeon. The event is staged in memory of the White Pigeon native who was killed during combat in Iraq in 2007. Merlin Miller of White Pigeon was the first participant to cross the finish line, while Megan Niblock of Constantine …

The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging’s Board of Directors has a pair of openings, following separate moves during its monthly meeting Wednesday. Lori Wright, who was tapped in June to head the board, submitted her letter of resignation, as announced by COA Director Lynn Coursey. According to Wright’s letter, her full-time job and a training commitment to the National …

Volunteers from the St. Joseph County United Way will be at various intersections next week handing out donuts as a thank you to St. Joseph County for its support of the Centreville-based agency. The gesture also is a reminder that the so-called Donut Drive means the local United Way is kicking off its 2013 campaign. Executive Director Kelly Hostetler said …

Florence Township Supervisor Tom Young has filed paperwork to seek a recount, following his three-vote defeat in last week’s primary election. County Clerk Pattie Bender said the hand recount was requested Wednesday and will be conducted at 10 a.m. Aug. 24 in the second-floor conference room at the county courthouse. Young was defeated, 65-62, by Gordon Evilsizor in the Aug. …

Investigators from the Michigan State Police post in Coldwater and its detachment in White Pigeon were summoned around 8 p.m. Tuesday in response to an improvised explosive device. The device was found in about two feet of water by a swimmer on the east side of Grey Lake in Sherman Township. Members of the state police bomb squad were called …

Members of the St. Joseph County Conservation District and 18 volunteers removed approximately 500 pounds of debris from a stretch of the Nottawa Creek last weekend. The three-mile stretch, from the Shorts Road bridge to the Fulton Road bridge in Leonidas Township, resulted in the recovery of two sunken aluminum boats, an extensive amount of glass bottles and aluminum cans, …

Three Rivers Fire Department Chief Dan Tomlinson has announced the agency has been awarded an improved rating by the Insurance Services Office. As a result of the agency’s rating from Class 5 to Class 4 effective Aug. 1, insurance premiums for a number of residential, commercial and industrial property owners within the city limits could decrease. Tomlinson said the ISO’s …

Organizers of this weekend’s Mendon Riverfest have issued a reminder that many of the activities set to take place during the three-day celebration require advance registration. The festival’s website has sign-up forms for prospective participants in the Riverfest parade, its arts and crafts exhibit, Saturday’s Hornet Hustle 5K run, a fishing tournament, canoe swamp, canoe race, kayak race and Thursday’s …