News

Colon village council members last week discussed the unreliable state of village hall’s telephone system, while village president Diane Downs said the office also needs a computer dedicated to village-related business. A general, unassigned office that Down uses in the village office does not have a landline telephone nor does it have a computer. Downs said with a search underway …

A vacancy on the Three Rivers City Commission remains unfilled, as there were no applicants who filed for the partial-term seat before a Friday deadline last week. City officials said the seat was previously held by Diane Clay, who stepped down Dec. 20 in light of her move to another part of the community. The issue is likely to be …

St. Joseph County residents later this year will likely be asked to support a millage request sought by the county’s E-911 Central Dispatch agency. County administrator Pat Yoder said Central Dispatch Director Dennis Brandenburg broached the subject during last week’s executive committee meeting. Yoder said the matter yielded substantial discussion that centered on a variety of needs Brandenburg noted. The …

Cass County prosecutor Victor Fitz formally charged 23-year-old Elkhart resident William Henderson with one count of open murder last week. Henderson is accused in Tuesday’s stabbing death of Juan Mendez, 24, who had lived in the Elkhart area as well as Puerto Rico. Mendez was stabbed early Tuesday during an altercation at Ameri-Kart in Cassopolis. After the stabbing, Henderson attempted …

Despite concerns about the cost for security and an inconvenience for county staff, St. Joseph County commissioners appear likely to stick with a later start time for its twice-a-month meetings. The issue of a 6 p.m. start time was discussed by commissioners during last week’s executive committee meeting after commissioner Kathy Pangle made a motion Jan. 3 to change the …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, including Sheriff Brad Balk, acknowledged the passing of Mounted Division Lt. Terry Shelhamer. According to a department media release, Shelhamer died in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday after a semi pulled in front of his pickup in Bristol, Ind. Shelhamer’s granddaughter was a passenger and also injured in the accident. She was treated and released. …

A Colon Community Schools educator has been awarded state recognition. Officials with the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association said Martha Hymer, principal at Colon Elementary School, has received the 2016 MEMSPA Region Honors Award from Region 4. This award is presented to a single member from each of MEMSPA’s fourteen regions who has merited such recognition as acclaimed …

An Elkhart man died after he was involved in a workplace altercation Wednesday in Cass County’s Mason Township. Sheriff Richard J. Behnke said deputies were called shortly before 5:30 a.m. to Ameri-Kart, a business in the 19300 block of Grange Street. While Deputies and ambulances were en route, it was discovered that one of the employees had stabbed the other …

Sturgis police arrested an 18-year-old man Wednesday on two felony offenses and a misdemeanor following a pursuit. According to a department media release, officers attempted to stop a vehicle for an equipment violation shortly before 2:30 a.m. on North Lakeview Street at East Lafayette Street. The driver refused to stop and the vehicle was pursued until it came to a …

Members of the Colon Village Council agreed Tuesday to adopt a “payment-in-lieu-of-insurance” policy for its full-time employees. Village president Diane Downs said the offer is available to employees who receive insurance through their spouse instead of the village. Council members agreed two payments a year would be made to those who decline village-offered insurance. Married employees who qualify will receive …