News

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this week reluctantly accepted a grant from Michigan’s Indigent Defense Commission. During Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners approved a motion netting the county $266,000 from the state source. The discontent came from the fact the county is obliged to satisfy terms of the agreement, which amounts to $414,000. The grant is retroactive to …

In light of an incident earlier this week in Branch County’s Sherwood Township, law-enforcement authorities are reminding the public to keep their vehicle doors locked at all times when parked outside. Troopers were called to the 1000 block of Ralston Road after it was discovered that a wallet was stolen from a vehicle between 4:40 and 9 p.m. Tuesday. Upon …

Work on a railroad crossing in Three Rivers started Wednesday and will continue through Tuesday. City officials said the Michigan Department of Transportation indicated the work at West Michigan Avenue and will involve a full replacement of the crossing. The third of three crossing repairs in the city will start Wednesday next week and focus on the crossing at South …

A camper was stolen sometime between Sunday and Monday from a location in Constantine Township. State police said the incident occurred between 9:30 p.m. Sunday and 6 a.m. Monday in the 10000 block of Quaker Street. The theft was reported at 6 p.m. Monday. Taken was a white, Viking pop-up camper with a Michigan trailer plate. It features a roof-mounted …

An elderly Branch County man was the victim of a fraud inspection that resulted in the theft of his safe. Michigan State Police troopers said the incident occurred mid-morning last week at a residence in the 900 block of South Fremont Road in California Township. The suspects preoccupied the elderly resident by asking to inspect his electric service. It is …

Glen Oaks Community College will have to consider its options after a half-mill increase request was defeated Tuesday by a margin of 51 to 49 percent. College officials said security improvements, energy-efficiency upgrades, renovations of classrooms and laboratories, and other capital-improvement projects were planned for the seven-year life of the proposed millage. The half mill would have generated about $970,000 …

The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging’s request for renewal of three-quarters of a mill was approved by voters, 71 to 29 percent. The request is for a six-year period, and will generate nearly $1.5 million during its first year.

Two incumbents will join Sturgis resident Ken Malone to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners following Tuesday’s vote. A strong voter turnout saw Centreville resident Dennis Allen defeat Judy Nelson of Nottawa Township. Allen, the current board chairman, will be back to represent District 3, which covers Lockport, Nottawa, Florence and Sherman townships. The other incumbent, White Pigeon’s Dan …

Voters in the Nottawa Community School District agreed to support a sinking-fund mill in the amount of one-and-a-half mills. The request, approved by a margin of 255 in favor to 174 opposed, is for a 10-year period and in its first year will generate more than $90,000. Superintendent Jerome Wolff said the funds will be used for improvements in school …

The two-mill request in Centreville for the fire department was approved by voters, 320 to 155. The measure will raise nearly $45,000 in its first year. Meanwhile, a request in White Pigeon Township for three-quarters of a mill for matching funds with the St. Joseph County Road Commission was approved, 764 to 560. Voters also approved an emergency services millage …