News

Winners of last weekend’s Scarecrow Fest have been announced by the St. Joseph County Parks and Recreation Department. Director Jaymes MacDonald said the top vote-getter in each of three categories are: Weenie King, funniest. Heartwood Renaissance, scariest. And Larry Brueck, most creative. There were 12 scarecrows in all and the winners were based on the public’s vote at Sunday’s event …

Sturgis Board of Education members voted this week to appoint Scott Boland to a seat on the board. The vacancy was created when board treasurer Geoffrey Smith resigned last month. According to board president Kerri Millett, Boland was one of seven people to apply for the position. She called the candidates “an awesome group of people.” Boland was chosen as …

Organizers of last week’s Project Connect at Glen Oaks Community College said 837 people took part in the four-hour community event. The 10th annual Project Connect was moved to the school’s gymnasium after outgrowing its space at Firm Foundations Ministries in Centreville. The event was promoted as a one-stop clearinghouse for people with needs ranging from employment and legal aide, …

A 20-year agreement with the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency was approved last week by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. The agreement is for the agency’s St. Joseph County-based site, at 1110 Hill St., in Three Rivers. As part of the arrangement, the health agency will pay $1 a year to the county for rent. Also, either party …

Three Rivers police last week arrested a man after he was being sought for being a parole absconder. Local authorities were notified by the Michigan Department of Corrections that Robert Oliver was believed to be in Three Rivers. He was spotted at 6:10 a.m. Friday at McDonald’s in Three Rivers and fled the scene once he noticed authorities. Oliver ran …

A pair of employment agreements was approved last week by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. The hours for Ann Happel and Brian McDaniel were increased to 22 1/2 hours each as part of their work with the County College Access Network. They previously both worked 15 hours a week, but their workload was increased to cover the duties …

A 38-year-old Niles woman was treated for head pains after she was involved in a two-vehicle accident over the weekend in Cass County’s Mason Township. Sheriff Joe Underwood said deputies were called to U.S. 12 near Kessington Road shortly before 3 p.m. Saturday. Underwood said Melissa Ogorman, 45, of Lake Odessa, was driving west on U.S. 12 when she slowed …

The St. Joseph County Transportation Authority saw a ridership increase during its 2014-15 fiscal year compared to a year earlier. Steve Yorks, executive director of the Three Rivers-based agency, said 97,506 rides were given during the 12-month period that ended Sept. 30. That figure tops the 95,942 rides given the previous fiscal year. Yorks said the CTA has maintained a …

Sunday’s annual Three Rivers Area Fall Color Tour was hailed a success by the event’s organizers as well as its participants. Tour coordinator Christy Trammell said hundreds of people took part in the self-guided tour, which featured 13 stops spread throughout western St. Joseph and eastern Cass counties. Trammell said the event was blessed to have perfect weather, which contributed …

A 43-year-old Burr Oak man is in stable condition after he was struck by a car over the weekend in Burr Oak Township. Sheriff’s officials said 56-year-old Kevin Mayer, of Sturgis, was driving north on Burr Oak Road shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday when he was unable to avoid striking Ricaurte Hernandez, who was lying in the roadway, south of …