Government

Commissioners approve three personnel matters

Three personnel matters were approved during Tuesday’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting. Kelly Stapert has been hired as part-time Commission on Aging in-home services assistant at $11.79 an hour. Nancy Franovich has been hired as part-time Victim Services clerk at $11.73 an hour. In addition, Glenn Dane has been hired as Commission on Aging sub driver at $9.27 …

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Walk for Warmth assists residents with heating bills

An annual event that will observe its 30-year anniversary next year in St. Joseph County was promoted during Tuesday’s county commission meeting. Colon resident Nancy Percival addressed commissioners regarding the Community Action-sponsored Walk For Warmth. The fundraiser’s biggest annual event takes place Feb. 28 at the Three Rivers Community Center. Percival said funds raised through the one-mile walk provide assistance …

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Commissioners hear report on new St Joseph County jobs

Nearly 1,400 new direct and indirect jobs, and more than $37 million in new investment were a few of the economic benefits provided to St. Joseph County through Southwest Michigan First in 2014. The highlights, detailed during Tuesday’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting, were presented by Ken Jones of Kalamazoo-based Southwest Michigan First. Through the first 11 months …

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No charges filed against two TR officers

Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz said charges will not be authorized against a pair of Three Rivers Police officers involved in a conflict in September. Fitz was dealt the case due to a conflict of interest because the people involved are law-enforcement officers. The two were a part of a dispute that unfolded Sept. 29 outside a residence in rural …

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Commissioners agreed to MSU Extension services

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners agreed to extension services provided by Michigan State University for 2015. Reached during Tuesday’s commission meeting, the agreement calls for the funding of one full-time extension educator and two part-time 4-H program coordinators. The services will cost the county more than $118,000. In an unrelated matter, Three Rivers resident Lee Zimmerman was appointed to …

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Sturgis police officer pleads not guilty

A Sturgis police officer has pleaded not guilty on charges stemming from a traffic crash last month in Kalamazoo County. Bryan Stuck, 29, entered the plea Wednesday at an arraignment in Kalamazoo. His attorney, David Butler, entered the plea of not guilty on charges of operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol level of 0.17 or higher and driving while …

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Colon area telephone scam reported

Colon Police Chief Mark Brinkert has issued a media release indicating a telephone scam is being reported by a number of village and Colon-area residents. The perpetrator making the calls claims to be from Consumers Energy and says the recipient of the phone call is delinquent in their payment. The caller then threatens that power to the residence will be discontinued unless they …

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Fatal fire in Kalamazoo County

Officials are investigating after a man’s body was found at the scene of a house fire in Kalamazoo County. Firefighters got a call about 3:00 Monday morning about a fire at a home in Pavilion Township near Comstock, where they found flames covering the home and siding melting on a neighbor’s garage. Authorities say the man found dead was 65-year-old …

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Sturgis Police will get new car

The Sturgis Police Department will receive a new squad vehicle. Anticipating the department would need a new cruiser, the city budgeted $ 27,500 for the 2014-15 fiscal year. Bill Snethkamp-Fleet in Lansing was the low bidder at $22,643, plus a $200 charge for delivery. The vehicle is on the lot and available immediately, a factor that influenced commissioners to accept …

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Public hearing in Sturgis regarding Magnolia Street

The city of Sturgis will stage a public hearing next month regarding the removal of a portion of Magnolia Street. The hearing, which takes place Dec. 17, will center on Magnolia Street from the Prairie Avenue right of way to the west property boundary of Carls Park. Sturgis voters earlier this month approved the transfer of Carls Park to Burr …

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