St Joseph County

One of the top employers in Sturgis broke ground Tuesday for the largest expansion in its 70-year history. Officials from Burr Oak Tool staged a ceremonial event to mark the addition of a 120,000 square-foot assembly facility at the corner of South Nottawa Street and Bogen Road in Sturgis. Company representatives said the multi-million dollar investment is expected to create …

A Fort Wayne-based utility would like to remind its customers to beware of a scam by suspects looking for a quick and illicit windfall. Indiana Michigan Power is reporting some of its customers are being targeted by scammers who falsely represent themselves as company personnel. I&M officials said a threat to cut off electrical service is made if the potential …

Two people were arrested on methamphetamine-related charges during a late-night execution of a search warrant Monday in Florence Township. The St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit was called to the 62000 block of Constantine Road in response to suspected drug activity. SCAN officers found evidence related to the manufacturing and use of meth. A 22-year-old man was charged with operating …

Crews from the St. Joseph County Road Commission this week started work on a $100,000 upgrade of the Langley Covered Bridge. The task, slated to take two weeks to complete, focuses on replacing the upper portion of the bridge’s two-layer deck. Chris Minger, director of operations, said the bridge has a two-part floor, and the structure is at a point …

Brush pick up in the city of Three Rivers has reached its midway point. The city’s Department of Public Services began the pickup process Monday in the Third District. The effort continues today in the Fourth District and Thursday in the Second District. Brush will be picked up just one time this year, DPS officials said. Leaf pickup in the …

Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners last week agreed to two major purchases. In advance of winter weather, the city commission approved the purchase of 5,000 pounds of road salt. The $24,000 transaction will call for 60 percent of the salt to be delivered ahead of the season and the balance will be shipped later in the winter. Also, …

A 12-month ridership record was set during the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority’s most recent fiscal year. Steve Yorks, executive director of the Three Rivers-based agency, said the CTA provided 96,960 rides in its 2012-13 fiscal year. The 52-week period ended Sept. 30. The figure reflects a 2 percent increase from the 2011-12 fiscal year, when 94,940 rides were provided. …

Officials from Three Rivers Health are announcing the opening today of its Center for Wound Healing. Located at 721 S. Health Parkway, the center will offer state-of-the-art treatment and protocols to treat chronic wounds, including hyperbaric-oxygen therapy, negative-pressure therapies, bioengineered tissues and biosynthetics. Qualified patients may also have the opportunity to participate in clinical trials and multi-center studies. Hospital officials …

A candlelight vigil in memory of Sturgis accountant David Locey drew more than 300 people to Free Church Park in downtown Sturgis Saturday night. Organized by family friends Jade Klingler and Leeann Lindsey, the vigil featured reflections from Sturgis City Commissioner Rob Sisson, retired bank executive Frank Iannarelli and retired Sturgis economic development director John Hayes. The trio made frequent …

A household hazardous waste collection Saturday was declared a success by event organizers. Sponsored by the St. Joseph County Solid Waste Committee, the twice-a-year drop off at the county fairgrounds featured hazardous waste, televisions, computers, tires, paper and cardboard, and latex paint. Pat Kulikowski, solid waste committee secretary, said final numbers show the collection netted 256 tires, 20,000 pounds of …