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The St. Joseph County Department of Human Services board recently voted to provide a total of $3,500 to three area agencies. DHS director Cindy Underwood said a $500 donation was made to the St. Joseph County United Way K-9 Fund. Once the fund reaches $12,000, it will allow for the purchase of a new dog for the Sturgis Police Department. …

The White Pigeon Fire Department collected more than 2,600 pounds of food to be shared with 50 White Pigeon families over the holidays. Assistant fire chief Tyler Royce said the department’s food drive began in November with “Fill the Fire Truck.” Along with the help of local mail carriers, 1,700 pounds of nonperishable food were collected. On Dec. 13, firefighters …

It’s “Crunch Time” for those still looking for those special Christmas gifts. The day after tomorrow is Christmas and tomorrow marks the end of Hanukkah. I wish the spirit of the season to those of all faiths and beliefs. If the Snowbirds haven’t already done so, they will soon be leaving for the warmer weather down south. Some are already …

A 16-year-old Sturgis boy and five passengers were unharmed following a single-vehicle accident Saturday afternoon in Burr Oak Township. State police said the car was being driven around 4:15 p.m. on McKale Road when it went out of control south of Hackman Road, rolled over and landed upside down in a ditch of two to three feet of water. An …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners has agreed to a $50-per-hour consulting fee with former human resources director Elishia Arver. During last week’s commission meeting, the board concurred Arver’s services will likely be needed to clear some pending issues – and ongoing matters, according to county administrator Pat Yoder – until her replacement joins the county Jan. 6. Mendon resident …

Two firefighters from the Three Rivers department have been promoted. Travis McGahan and Jeff Bloomfield were recognized during a pinning ceremony at last week’s city commission meeting. McGahan has risen to the status of full-time firefighter, while Bloomfield was promoted to deputy chief. McGahan lives in Three Rivers while Bloomfield is a Marcellus resident. Bloomfield, who was promoted from the …

St. Joseph County has reached a lease agreement with Nottawa Township regarding Nottawa Park. The move came during last week’s county commission meeting, three years after the county turned over ownership and operations of the Sand Lake park to the township. According to terms of the arrangement, which takes effect Jan. 1, the county will lease the park for $5 …

A motions hearing for perjury suspect Raymond McCann II took place Thursday before St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman. Prosecutors said McCann made five false statements during hours of sworn testimony related to the November 2007 night when 11-year-old Jodi Parrack was found dead in a Constantine Township cemetery. McCann’s attorney, James Mequio of Portage, argued that the …

State Rep. Matt Lori last week voted on a bipartisan plan to fund road and bridge repair and maintenance by asking voters to approve a one-cent increase to the state sales tax. Lori said he is happy the House and Senate reached a consensus on a long-term, sustainable plan to maintain and repair the state’s deteriorating roads and bridges. If …

The public-comment period regarding the St. Joseph County Water Trail Master Plan has been postponed until January. The plan will be available for public review for a month beginning Jan. 16, according to Suzanne Fromson, landscape architect with Edgewater Resources. Fromson, whose company was hired by the county to work on the master plan, said a hard copy of the …