News

Joseph “Jody” Hughes III of Colon and Marty Mullendore of Three Rivers have been named St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department “Employees of the Year.” The accolade was announced by Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite. The panel that makes the recommendations is comprised of four road patrol sergeants and four corrections unit sergeants. The nominees are chosen from the pool of employee-of-the-month recipients …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners will field six matters of new business this afternoon. The agenda for today’s 5 o’clock meeting features a public hearing regarding the potential adoption of the river trail master plan, a resolution to amend the county’s 9-1-1 service plan, a request to fill a part-time clerk position and a request for the use …

A team of about 30 people last weekend helped raise about $7,000 for an agency that benefits a number of local residents. Saturday’s Nancy Percival 30th Annual Walk For Warmth event took place in Three Rivers. The one-mile walk helped generate funds to be distributed by Community Action. Last year, the event assisted 23 households with utility bills. Community Action …

The St. Joseph County veterans services office is relocating from Annex II to the first floor of the historic courthouse in Centreville. The move is expected to be complete by the end of the day today. Stoney Summey, newly named director of veterans affairs and community outreach, also will be at that location.

Sturgis High School senior Cleanna Crabill was chosen as one of 16,000 academically talented students nationwide as a semifinalist for the National Merit Scholarship Program. In order to qualify as a semifinalist, Crabill participated in the 2013 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which serves as an initial screen for program entrants. Her scores have placed her in the nationwide …

Moving forward at a pace quicker than expected, a panel assembled to interview finalists for the appointed position of clerk and register of deeds will interview two finalists this week. St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman said Tabitha Wedge and Lindsay Oswald will return for second interviews Tuesday after they were a slate of five interviewed last week. …

Investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit performed a series of compliance checks last week. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, the SCAN unit was aided by parole agents from the Michigan Department of Corrections to ensure individuals were in compliance with terms of their probation or parole. Nine addresses were visited during Thursday’s compliance checks. …

In light of freezing water service, the city of Three Rivers is suggesting residents begin a preventive measure and let water inside their residence trickle steadily until further notice. Residents who follow the suggestion should first contact either the city’s Department of Public Services or utility billing at city hall to advise of the plan. As a result, the city …

Sturgis city commissioners last week discussed a special-use request, currently before the city planning commission, which would create a rental duplex out of a single-family home. Opinions were split on whether the city should hold the line on duplexes to encourage more owner-occupied homes or expand residential rental opportunities. The commission will ask the planning commission to review current ordinances …

A campaign by Three Rivers Community Schools to promote a sinking-fund millage request in May kicked off this week. Superintendent Jean Logan said the district is seeking 1.95 mills over an eight-year period. If approved, the request would generate $1.25 million a year for building and site improvements, safety and security, and technology infrastructure. She said the sinking-fund request is …