News

There’s a chance Mendon Township’s voters will have a say in the fate of an ordinance related to solar panel developments. With three days to spare, members of a group opposed to the ordinance approved a month ago by the Mendon Township Board submitted a petition that included more than 300 signatures – about 125 more than the required minimum, …

Meek’s Mill Garden Club in Constantine has announced a spring sale it is planning to stage later this month. According to event organizers, the “Spring Plants & More” sale will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 18 at Messiah Lutheran Church parking lot, on Fifth Street. It will include homegrown plants, gardening magazines and books, garden crafts, …

Three Rivers Area Mentoring will host an informational meeting next week for anyone considering becoming a mentor. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. Monday, May 6, at TRAM’s office, 25 Railroad Drive in downtown Three Rivers. TRAM officials would appreciate an RSVP, which can be done by phoning 278-8726.

Members of the St. Joseph County Animal Control Advisory Board are starting to form a public-awareness campaign in hopes of eventually supporting a new animal-control building. Their first step was taken a few weeks ago, when they conducted a walk-through of the Centreville-based facility. The participants included all five members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners as well as county …

Members of the Centreville Village Council have named longtime community residents Dennis and Vicki Allen as 2019 Centreville “Citizens of the Year.” They will be honored at the conclusion of this year’s Covered Bridge Days parade July 13. The couple attended Centreville High School and they married in 1976. Dennis Allen, chair of the county board of commissioners, is a …

The Centreville Public Schools Board of Education recently honored three of its personnel who received special accolades. Jill Peterson, co-athletic director and communications director, was named Kalamazoo Gazette “Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year.” Meanwhile, Cathy Carpenter, literacy coach, was named “Michigan Youth in Government Advisor of the Year.” Finally, Bart Schrader, second-grade teacher, was named “General Education Teacher of …

The Centreville Village Council has approved an ordinance prohibiting marijuana establishments in the village. A violation of the ordinance will result in a municipal civil infraction, a fine from $100 to $500. In other action, Michelle Thibideau will serve as village clerk after accepting the resignation of previous clerk Rhea Schrader. Thibideau, currently director of public works, will continue in …

The St. Joseph County Bar Association has announced the recipient of its 2019 Liberty Bell Award. Barbara Howes, a consultant who works with St. Joseph County Circuit Court Adult Treatment Court, and its Swift and Sure program, was selected as this year’s winner. She also serves as coordinator for both specialty courts. Judge Jeff Middleton said Howes wrote an additional …

Two people were injured in a collision Monday afternoon in Cass County’s Penn Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 1:40 p.m. to M-60, near Gards Prairie Road. Behnke said Charles Sampson, 46, of Cassopolis, was driving eastbound on M-60 when he lost control. The vehicle crossed the centerline and into oncoming traffic. His car struck a vehicle …

March’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was four-tenths of a percent higher than the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s 4.1 percent March unemployment rate marked an increase from February’s 3.7 percent. St. Joseph County was below the state unemployment average, which was 4.4 percent in March. …