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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 …

We don’t have any trees on our property, but every year I’ve been kept busy raking up leaves and disposing of bushels of walnuts. Our neighbor has trees, and believe it or not, one of them is a walnut tree. The mystery as to where the leaves and walnuts come from is, of course, a no-brainer. We have terrific neighbors, …

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 …

State officials say they expect no changes in daily operations of the Indiana Toll Road with the bankruptcy filing of the highway’s debt-ridden private operator.  Chicago-based ITR Concession Co. submitted its federal bankruptcy court filing late Sunday, saying it failed to make a $102 million interest payment that was due in June.  ITR’s debt stems from a 2006 deal under …

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. …