St Joseph County

St. Joseph County treasurer Judith Ratering has included the county in a state program designed to assist homeowners who have fallen behind on their property taxes. “Help for Hardest Hit; Step Forward, Michigan” is a state initiative to assist homeowners who have endured a financial hardship and are unable to catch up on their property taxes. Discussing the program last …

About 100 people attended the inaugural Three Rivers Harmony Fest chili cook-off and home-brew beer fundraiser Feb. 2. More than $800 was collected to help fund this year’s Harmony Fest, which marks its 20th anniversary Labor Day weekend. In the chili competition, Fred Pruitt from Three Rivers Health took top honors, with Pub 21 and Paisano’s Bar and Grill coming …

St. Joseph County Sheriff Brad Balk said narcotics investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit executed a search warrant on a suspected methamphetamine-production site Tuesday in the 63000 block of McKale Road in Burr Oak Township. Investigators found evidence of methamphetamine and marijuana production inside the residence, investigators said. Two males and one female, whose names and ages …

A fundraiser to help the Constantine Fire Department purchase five Automated External Defibrillators is scheduled to take place later this month. A spaghetti dinner is set for 12:30 to 3 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Constantine American Legion, north of the village on U.S. 131. There is no charge but donations are being requested. Chief Mike Haydon said the department …

St. Joseph County’s search for a new administrator resulted in an unexpected selection Tuesday. J. Patrick Yoder, who held the position from its inception in 1990 until 1994, has accepted the job, which is the highest, non-elected position in county government. A native of Suttons Bay, the 63-year-old Yoder met with commissioners during a work session to discuss his potential …

Glen Oaks Community College officials have announced the school is providing employee training to Sturgis Molded Products in order to advance employee-processing skills. Sturgis Molded Products is one of two recipients in St. Joseph County of an Incumbent Worker Training Grant designed to upgrade the skills of its employees. The $36,000, fully funded grant was awarded through Michigan Works and …

Here’s a reminder from organizers of the White Pigeon snowman-making contest. Above-freezing temperatures have helped turn snow into a texture conducive to packing and snowman-building. Shireen Cline, event organizer, said anyone who builds a snowman is urged to send her a photo if they wish for it to be included in judging. The last day for entries is Feb. 23, …

Three Rivers, Mendon, Nottawa and Centreville school districts had the greatest number of proficient third-through eighth-grade students in the county on the reading portion of the Michigan Educational Assessment Program. All four finished above the state average in the reading category, according to MEAP results released by the state Monday. Meanwhile, students in Nottawa and Sturgis scored the highest number …

A 43-year-old Sturgis woman was charged with drunken driving and open intoxicant following a traffic stop last week in Sturgis. A Michigan State Police trooper noticed her vehicle being driven without its headlights illuminated on South Centerville Road. In addition, a 42-year-old passenger was charged with open intoxicants and a probation violation for possession and consumption of alcohol. They were …

A loud exhaust prompted a trooper from the Michigan State Police to stop a vehicle last Wednesday on U.S. 12 in Burr Oak Township. The driver, a 22-year-old Bronson resident, was driving on a suspended license and also was found to be wanted on a warrant for failure to appear on an unspecified charge, police said. He posted a cash …