News

Constantine Township officials are seeking input from its residents regarding road maintenance and improvements. Township officials said a survey in the latest newsletter will help guide them in deciding what roads need attention and in what manner. A survey question also asks if the township should consider adopting a special assessment dedicated specifically toward road-related maintenance and improvements. The township …

Ann Happel, a Title One teacher at Eastwood Elementary School in Sturgis has been named the recipient of the 2011 John Oster Award. The award was established in 1981 by JoEllen Oster as a tribute to her late husband and recognizes teacher excellence at Sturgis Public Schools. Happel was honored for her devoted effort to develop and implement a number …

A plan to implement in-house dental service at the St. Joseph County Jail moved a step closer to reality with the donation of $2,000 from a Fulton-area family. Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite said the donation, made in memory of Bob Shook, a former jail chaplain, allowed the department to purchase almost all the equipment it needs to begin tooth-extraction service. The …

Five people were arrested on methamphetamine-related charges Wednesday following surveillance of a residence in White Pigeon Township. Members of the Michigan State Police Southwest Enforcement Team and its Emergency Support Team made five early morning arrests after the group had allegedly produced meth during the night. An informant told police a sniper was guarding the house while meth was being …

A 360-acre property in Leonidas Township has been purchased by an Indiana-based farmers consortium. The $2.4 million purchase of the property along Longnecker Road effectively ends the prospect of a 2,300-head dairy farm previously proposed for the site. Perry Vieth, president of Ceres Partners of South Bend, said the company plans to use the land for seed corn and rotate …

Cass County Sheriff’s Department officials arrested two Porter Township residents and took a child into protective custody after discovering evidence of a meth lab inside their residence Tuesday. The Cass County Drug Enforcement Team executed a search warrant in the 69000 block of Union Road and found evidence of a one-pot meth lab and materials used to manufacture meth. Multiple …

Labor agreements with four units of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees working for St. Joseph County were reached Tuesday. St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners OK’d the agreements with Circuit Court, Probate Court, General Unit and Family Division of the Circuit Court. The one-year agreements affect 64 employees and do not provide wage increases. Also Tuesday, …

The candidate chosen to serve as St. Joseph County treasurer has indicated he will decline the position in light of a controversy over his proposed salary. Centreville native Barry Miller said he will retain his job as vice president for Century Bank and Trust in Three Rivers after county officials had a disagreement over his starting salary. According to minutes …

Constantine village officials were told Monday that an Indiana-based company is expecting to close soon on the purchase of the former Rexam plant in the village’s industrial park. During a public hearing at Monday’s village council meeting, officials from Nature’s Fuel said a few legal matters are being reviewed by their legal team. Glenn Johnson, chief operating officer, said the …

As the Michigan House of Representatives’ 2011-12 legislative session reaches its halfway point, State Rep. Matt Lori said 2011 has been a year of significant reform resulting in a leaner, more-efficient government. Lori added that steps taken in 2011 show that House members concluded a year of business-tax reforms budgetary restraints and making state spending more transparent. The Constantine-area resident …