News

Constantine village officials have established a municipal building authority, putting the community a step closer to funding for a new fire station. During their Feb. 5 meeting, council members approved the measure as a prerequisite to apply for a federal Rural Development loan. The federal loans typically come with lower interest rates than traditional bank loans, village authorities said. The …

The city of Three Rivers has a continued lead-action level exceedance for its drinking water system. According to a media release issued last week, lead-action level exceedance means that locations within the city’s drinking water system have lead test results over 15 parts per billion, which is recognized as the EPA’s drinking water Action Level. Tests collected between July and …

A woman who allegedly stole a horse and buggy last month from the Walmart parking lot in Sturgis has been arraigned. Lona Latoski, 31, pleaded not guilty to two counts following the Jan. 20 incident outside the South Centerville Road business. Authorities said Latoski allegedly left the parking lot in a horse-drawn buggy belonging to a Shipshewana family. Latoski later …

Bronson Community Schools Board of Education members have filled a vacant seat to the seven-member panel. Erica Norton was offered the position last week. She replaces a seat made vacant by the resignation of Bob Cary in January. District officials said Norton will serve the remainder Cary’s term, which concludes at the end of the calendar year. Norton was one …

Laura Brott, collaborative coordinator for the St. Joseph County Human Services Commission, said any person or organization who took part in the Jan. 31 Point-In-Time homelessness count should submit their data as soon as possible. Data-collection forms should be returned to Neighborhoods Inc. It is located at St. Joseph County Habitat for Humanity in Centreville. Forms can be scanned and …

Glen Oaks Community College’s Health Science department is set to host the Healthcare College and Employment Fair later this month. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27 at the college’s grand concourse. The free event provided an opportunity for those seeking new employment or looking to advance their healthcare education. Sara Birch, …

The identity of a Constantine man who died in a two-vehicle crash last week has been verified. Charles Holleman, 66, died Friday near the intersection of U.S. 131 and the south end of M-60 in Fabius Township. Investigators said Holleman was driving a vehicle that collided with a semi tractor-trailer driven by a 60-year-old Indiana man. He was declared deceased …

Sturgis Township Board has approved the installation of solar panels atop the township hall. Board members OK’d an $18,000 bid from Shipshewana-based Wellspring Components LLC. The panels will be installed after the building’s roof is replaced this year. Wellspring proposed installing 16 panels capable of generating 7.2 kW h of power. It is estimated it would take approximately 15 years …

Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education has filled a vacancy on its seven-member panel. John McDonough was sworn in at the board’s Jan. 29 special meeting. He fills a seat made available with the departure of Ben Karle, who announced in early January his intent to step down from the board. McDonough, former St. Joseph County prosecutor, was one …

The race for Branch County sheriff is now a three-person contest. Branch County Sheriff’s Department Captain Fred Blankenship, who also serves as jail administrator, and Coldwater Police Department School Resource Officer Robin Swartz recently announced their intent to pursue the four-year position. Current Sheriff John Pollack is retiring at the end of the year. Swartz was a member of the …