News

The St. Joseph County Solid Waste Committee would like to give residents advance notice of its upcoming household hazardous waste collection, and recycling of electronics, tires, paper and latex paints. The annual fall collection will take place Oct. 18 at the county fairgrounds in Centreville. The solid waste committee’s April collection drew almost 40,000 pounds of electronics, 715 tires, about …

The Substance Abuse Task Force of St. Joseph County recently conducted alcohol- and tobacco-compliance checks at 41 randomly-chosen businesses that sell alcohol and tobacco products. Eighty-five percent of the businesses asked for identification and refused to sell to minors who were used in the operation, conducted in cooperation with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department and police departments in Sturgis …

In addition to a few personnel matters, St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners last week made an appointment to the Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Board. Three Rivers resident Roger Rathburn was appointed to fill a vacancy on the CMH board. Also, the commission approved hiring Dixie Strawser as a temporary, part-time employee for MSU Extension; Kathy Kline …

Four men from Ohio are suspected of committing an armed robbery Monday at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds. According to a media release from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, two vendors were robbed at gunpoint and tied up at 7:35 a.m. The victims were eventually able to free themselves, call for help and provide a description of the suspects. …

Items belonging to a Fabius-Park Townships Fire Department member were stolen last week from a vehicle in Fabius Township. Michigan State Police said the incident took place early Friday morning in the 16000 block of Null Road. Turnout gear consisting of pants, a jacket, boots, and a SCBA mask were stolen. Also taken were a purse and other personal items.

 The Three Rivers Department of Public Services has announced its fall brush pickup schedule. Brush pickup begins Oct. 6 in the city’s Third District; Oct. 7 in the First District; Oct. 8 in the Fourth District; and Oct. 9 in the Second District. DPS officials said brush should not have leaves mixed in and it should be on the terrace …

State Rep. Matt Lori said a state grant has been awarded to Sturgis as part of a development that will transform three historic buildings into a restaurant and sports bar. Lori said the Community Development Block Grant in excess of $1 million will help finance the city’s West Chicago Development Project. The funds will be used to correct structural issues …

Sturgis City Manager Mike Hughes is expected to find out tonight whether he remains in the running for city manager of Portage. The 40-year-old Hughes is one of five candidates to interview for the job. The Portage City Council is expected to discuss the interviews and candidates tonight, and decide on which finalists to call for a second interview. Hughes, …

Michigan’s attorney general is suing one propane seller alleging price-gouging last winter and has reached a more than $100,000 agreement with another propane company.  Bill Schuette said in a statement Monday that the lawsuit against AmeriGas and agreement with Ferrellgas follow hundreds of consumer complaints related to propane pricing and delivery.  The lawsuit against AmeriGas in Berrien County Circuit Court …

The 164th St. Joseph County Grange Fair is in the books and its organizers report a 12 percent increase in attendance over 2013. Fair manager Bill Johnson said more than 148,000 people attended the 2014 fair, up from more than 140,000 last year. Outside of two downpours Saturday, weather was a positive factor over the course of the seven-day event. …