Government

The St. Joseph County Conservation District has announced its 2014 river cleanup schedule. Jen Miller, administrator of the Centreville-based agency, said there will be fewer cleanups this year, as eight per summer the past three summers seemed to limit the number of volunteers. The fourth season of the cleanup project starts Saturday on the Fawn River in White Pigeon Township, …

White Pigeon village officials have agreed to spend about $2,600 to replace damaged and faded street signs. During Wednesday’s village council meeting, the seven-member panel heard president Dan Czajkowski explain that many of the village’s signs are difficult to read because of their age and years-long effects of the elements. He said it is a matter of safety that the …

A world-record attempt will be made this summer in Colon. During the 2014 Abbottt’s Magic Get-Together in August, an attempt will be made to break the Guinness World record for most magicians in a single magic show. Colon resident Kelly Pucci, who is an organizer of the Aug. 6 attempt, said the current record is 106 magicians set by a …

A 56-year-old Kalamazoo man died in a 1-car crash at 3:30am Monday. The victim was identified as David Hunt. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department says Hunt was northbound on Carlton Road in Flowerfield Township, when his car left the road, hit a rock, and rolled several times. Hunt was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 33-year-old Traverse City man was charged with drug- and weapon-related offenses early Thursday in Sturgis. The man was arrested after the vehicle in which he was a passenger was stopped for an equipment violation shortly after 12:30 a.m. near the intersection of East West and Arden Park streets. Sturgis police said the man was found to be in possession …

An update on the 2014 White Pigeon Days community celebration was provided during Wednesday’s village council meeting. Representatives from the White Pigeon Days Committee said a permit for the parade on U.S. 12 has been secured and will take place on opening night, July 11. Other attractions include a dodge ball tournament, inflatable attractions for the kids, food and crafts …

A formality approved Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners allows certain employees in about 12 different departments to work a four-day week. The memorandum of understanding between the county board and AFSCME general unit gives department heads the option of allowing their employees to work four, 10-hour days instead of five, eight-hour days. Human resources director Elishia …

White Pigeon village officials have deferred a matter regarding outdoor, wood-burning boilers until more information can be gathered by a council member and zoning official. A month after village council member Shireen Cline raised health-related concerns about the devices, the panel on Wednesday agreed to have Cline meet with Doug Kuhlman, zoning administrator for the village. The two will review …

The Three Rivers Wastewater Treatment Plant has reported a foamover occurrence took place last week. Plant officials said the incident was noticed around 7:30 a.m. Friday and had occurred the night before. The foam retention pond held in 12,000 gallons of foam, preventing the foam from entering storm sewers. The matter was deemed to have been human error, as it …

Two unrelated matters of business were approved Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Commissioners endorsed an agreement with Florida-based MGT of America for cost-allocation plan services. County administrator Pat Yoder said the agreement is geared toward the county’s Friend of the Court and Juvenile Court departments to reimburse their expenses through the state. Also, the employment of …