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St. Joseph County commissioners were brought up to speed this week on a few major, county-backed projects. During their executive committee meeting Tuesday, project manager Jennifer Sawyer provided updates on the Three Rivers satellite courthouse, the Centreville courthouse courts building and work at the St. Joseph County Jail. Regarding the satellite location, which will be used for the county’s Friend …

St. Joseph County officials acknowledged a growing homeless encampment in Three Rivers. During Tuesday’s executive committee meeting, commissioner Rick Shaffer said he has noticed a number of tents and improvised shelters in an area behind Auto Zone, near Walmart. The Auto Zone Shaffer referenced is on the west side of U.S. 131, just north of the Michigan Avenue intersection. Shaffer …

Nearly 200 people made a brave sacrifice to support Special Olympics earlier this week in Sturgis. Morgan Lovelace, a special education teacher at Sturgis Middle School, spearheaded the Polar Plunge. Many people and teams at Sturgis Public Schools helped raise donations and pledges to help Special Olympics. Lovelace said the goal was $10,000. Following the chilly endeavor on Tuesday, Lovelace …

A federal grant secured in part through U.S. Sen. Gary Peters will aid Cass County officials with a major project. The county is poised to receive $1.5 million, which will help fund impending renovations of the historic Cass County courthouse. County commissioners last fall voted in favor of following through on the renovation project. County officials said they hope the …

Constantine Public Schools is creating a new committee in an effort to get more feedback from the public. Superintendent Joe Holloway said the Community Engagement Committee will be comprised of community members who wish to play a role in the district, its goals and its success. Holloway said he would like to see the committee bridge the gap between the …

St. Joseph County Commissioners are expected to approve a number of appointments and re-appointments at their monthly meeting next week. During their executive committee meeting Tuesday, commissioners were advised Gregg Dohm, Kathy Pangle, Robert Horton and Rick Shaffer will be up for re-appointment to the county’s Planning Commission. Meanwhile, four people were mentioned as prospective appointments to the Brownfield Redevelopment …

Langley Covered Bridge will probably not re-open until early January, possibly up to three weeks later than originally anticipated. Garrett Myland, engineer and assistant manager, said the delay is not the result of one specific issue. Rather, the work that needs to be done is being completed in a methodic and thorough manner, he said. Myland recently discussed the current …

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is working alongside the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department to decrease impaired driving. Starting Friday and continuing through Jan. 1, sheriff’s deputies will be participating in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement period. ln support of the law enforcement community’s dedication to protecting the lives of local residents, …

Michigan State Police “Stuff a Blue Goose” event generated a considerable amount of holiday food and toys for less fortunate families in St. Joseph County. The one-day collection took place Dec. 2 outside Walmart stores in Three Rivers and Sturgis. Sgt. Todd Peterson said the 2023 drive netted nearly 900 pounds of food and about 1,400 toys at the Three …

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters issued a media release related to drinking water. Peters stated he helped pass a bipartisan infrastructure law, which included $15 billion to help remove and replace lead pipes in Michigan communities. He said the investment will support a transformative effort to replace lead pipes and help more families access safe drinking water. Peters said through his …