News

The weekend’s 29th Mendon Riverfest saw some popular events canceled due to the St. Joseph River’s high water and fast-moving current. Roger Cupp, chair of the Riverfest Committee, said Saturday’s canoe race, canoe swamp, and duck and toy-boat races were canceled for safety reasons. The high water and swift current were the result of a heavy day of rain Wednesday …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this week approved accepting a grant on behalf of the sheriff’s department to fund secondary road patrol. County administrator Pat Yoder said the grant, in excess of $185,000, is awarded through the state police agency’s office of Highway Safety Planning. It covers the cost of two deputies dedicated to patrolling the county’s secondary roads …

Four people were reappointed to the St. Joseph County Solid Waste Management Planning Committee this week. Commissioners on Tuesday renewed the terms of Eric Shafer and Aaron Cuillifer, representing industry; Lee Zimmerman, representing environmental; Robert Robinson, representing the general public; and John Dobberteen, representing municipalities. Their terms are for two years, expiring Sept. 1, 2018.

Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department responded to Colon Township last weekend to a criminal-damage-to-property incident. According to a department media release, deputies were called shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday to the 56000 block of Sewanee Trail. The victim said several windows were damaged at their residence. The victim told authorities it appears the suspect fled the scene …

One of two men pursued on high-speed motorcycles was apprehended by police last weekend. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said two motorcyclists were observed driving in excess of 120 miles per hour southbound on M-66 at Jacksonburg Road in Leonidas Township around 9:30 p.m. Saturday. A deputy caught up to the motorcycles at M-86 toward Colon. The pursuit continued …

Downtown-improvement projects in Constantine and Sturgis got a boost Tuesday, as both received $100,000 from the county’s board of commissioners. The two municipalities were issued the grants from a special DDA fund the county set up a few years ago to support local economic-development projects. County administrator Pat Yoder said the projects were scrutinized and deemed eligible for the funds. …

Colon Community Schools is issuing a call-out to anyone interested in helping lend a little effort to spruce up its grounds and buildings. Superintendent Christine Barnes said the second annual “Magi Pride Days” starts today and runs through Saturday. Over the course of the three days, volunteers will be asked to help with a variety of tasks that include power-washing, …

Organizers behind a recent fundraiser to help a Wisconsin man and his family have good news to share. The seventh annual “Homes for our Troops” event Aug. 6 at the Jim and Peggy Fassett residence in Park Township raised $9,600, prompting the Fassett’s to issue a public appeal for additional funds in hopes of hitting the $10,000 mark. The request …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District is seeking volunteers to assist with its fourth river cleanup event of the season this coming weekend. Saturday’s task will focus on the Portage River, from the Portage Lake Landing on Michigan Avenue in Mendon Township to Parkville Road. The event starts at 9:30 a.m. and transportation from the end point back to the …

An annual giveaway by the St. Joseph County United Way is wrapping up for another year. The agency a week ago started its “Donut Drive” as its way of thanking county residents for their continued support. During the drive, United Way volunteers will spend a total of seven weekdays distributing donuts free of charge at major intersections between 7:30 and …