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The St. Joseph County United Way is in the homestretch of its 2014 campaign, and its executive director is appealing to the public for help with a final push. Kelly Hostetler said financial donations for the current campaign will be accepted through Jan. 31. With a goal of $740,000 – the local United Way’s largest ever – the campaign is …

The Newell A. and Grace A. Franks Fund, held by the Sturgis Area Community Foundation, is leading the way for the facelift and relocation of Sturgis’ historic depot building later this year. Working with the Sturgis Historical Society, Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce and the city of Sturgis, the Newell and Grace Franks Fund is offering grant funds for the …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week approved the sheriff department’s request to submit a Marine Safety Program grant application. The request is for more than $65,000 through state and federal sources, and allows the department to continue to man its seasonal Marine Patrol division in 2014. If approved, the grant would fund the services of one full-time …

The Constantine Village Council is looking for a new member, as Bob Brewer tendered his resignation at Monday’s council meeting. Brewer, a former police chief in the village, cited personal reasons for the resignation, which is effective April 1. Village manager Mark Honeysett said vacancies in elected office are to be filled by council appointment. Clerk Cindy LaFluer expressed an …

A job fair for people considering work in the manufacturing industry will take place Wednesday, January 29th in Three Rivers. Hosted by Michigan Works, the event features employers looking to fill positions in the fields of customer service, logistics, engineering, warehouse work and machinists. American Axle and Manufacturing Co. will be one of the employers on hand. Prospective participants must …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is offering free radon test kits to residents in its district. Rebecca Burns, environmental health director, said the offer is in conjunction with January being National Radon Action Month. She said radon has no taste or odor, and is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally in soil and rock. Its vapors can seep through …

The village of Burr Oak has a new squad car for its police department. Spearheaded by Police Committee chairperson Brad Woodman and finance chairperson Alice Munoz, the process of a grant request yielded funds to help the village replace its 13-year-old squad patrol car with a 2014 Police Interceptor. The grant was provided by the United States Department of Agriculture. …

A Fabius Township residence sustained severe damage during a fire Sunday afternoon. Fabius/Park Fire Chief Scott Roderick said the residence, in the 10000 block of Hoffman Road, was fully engulfed when fire personnel arrived. Potential cause of the fire is likely due to a wood-burning stove, Roderick said. There were no injuries as a result of the incident.

The Three Rivers area Snowman Making Contest is back. If I remember correctly, this contest was cancelled last year due to lack of snow. It seems that we won’t have that problem this year. The contest will be held this Saturday, January 25, from noon until 2 PM. The site is the west side parking lot, located on the west …

The village of Centreville is less than a month from starting up its own police department. After contracting law-enforcement service through the sheriff’s department for more than 20 years, the village has decided to run its own police force. Village president Jeff Johnson said interviews with chief candidates took place over the weekend. The village has allocated a $40,000 annual …