St Joseph County

Rick Santorum was the top vote-getter in St. Joseph County Tuesday. The presidential primary election in Michigan, however, was claimed by Mitt Romney, who came in second place in St. Joseph County. Unofficial results from County Clerk Pattie Bender’s office show Santorum earned more than 2,500 votes while Romney had more than 1,700. Barrack Obama, the only candidate listed on …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week made appointments to a pair of boards. Three Rivers-area resident Connie Stoppenbach was appointed to fill a term on the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority Board. Her term will expire in April 2013. Meanwhile, reappointments of Sturgis-area resident Betty Massey and commissioners Don Eaton, John Dobberteen and Robin Baker were made to …

The 27th Walk for Warmth, which took place Saturday at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds, raised more than $6,100. The funds will be used to assist people who are elderly, disabled or of low income. Though event organizers were hoping to raise $12,000, they said the amount raised and enthusiasm from the more than a dozen people who participated was …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners on Tuesday accepted the resignation of a longtime employee in the prosecutor’s office. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jeanette Jackson plans to retire March 30, capping a 31-year career. Prosecutor John McDonough sought and was given approval to fill Jackson’s position. McDonough indicated he plans to appoint Joshua Robare, who is expected to join the office …

A man’s body was found in the rubble of a barn fire early Monday in Fabius Township. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, a bicycle was discovered near the scene of the fire, which took place near the intersection of Millard and Roberts roads. Though the matter remains under investigation, officials indicated they believe the mountain bike likely …

Officials with the St. Joseph County Grange Fair announced Monday that country/western singer and songwriter Alan Jackson will headline the closing night of the 2012 fair. Jackson, who gained national prominence in 1990 with the hit, “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” will appear Sept. 22. Bill Johnson, fair manager, said tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Feb. 29 at …

Residential and commercial water bills in the village of Colon will soon feature a newly added monthly service fee of almost a dollar. Starting in March, the 89-cent-per-month fee will be added to the 630 water customers within the village limits to help generate $6,000 toward a new fire/rescue agreement between the village and township. Colon Township was paying all …

A first-time participant in the annual Constantine Chili Throwdown took top honors during the third annual event Saturday. The Village Inn, which opened for business in July, was the top vote-getter from nearly 50 voters who weighed in on choosing the event’s best chili. For $5 per person, the public was invited to sample each of four chili offerings and …

The Michigan Public Service Commission last week issued an order approving a settlement agreement, which authorizes Indiana Michigan Power to increase electric rates by more than $14.6 million annually, effective with the next full cycle of billings. The amount represents an increase of nearly 5.9 percent over the rates set in I&M’s last rate case. According to the most recent …

The American Cancer Society has announced its Relay For Life campaign in Three Rivers will kick off next week. Starting at 6 p.m. March 1, cancer survivors, caregivers, families, schools, companies, faith-based and civic organizations are invited to gather at Kadant Johnson Research & Development Center to launch fundraising efforts for the year. The theme of this year’s event is …