Government

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week approved the sheriff department’s request to submit a Marine Safety Program grant application. The request is for more than $65,000 through state and federal sources, and allows the department to continue to man its seasonal Marine Patrol division in 2014. If approved, the grant would fund the services of one full-time …

The Constantine Village Council is looking for a new member, as Bob Brewer tendered his resignation at Monday’s council meeting. Brewer, a former police chief in the village, cited personal reasons for the resignation, which is effective April 1. Village manager Mark Honeysett said vacancies in elected office are to be filled by council appointment. Clerk Cindy LaFluer expressed an …

The village of Burr Oak has a new squad car for its police department. Spearheaded by Police Committee chairperson Brad Woodman and finance chairperson Alice Munoz, the process of a grant request yielded funds to help the village replace its 13-year-old squad patrol car with a 2014 Police Interceptor. The grant was provided by the United States Department of Agriculture. …

A Fabius Township residence sustained severe damage during a fire Sunday afternoon. Fabius/Park Fire Chief Scott Roderick said the residence, in the 10000 block of Hoffman Road, was fully engulfed when fire personnel arrived. Potential cause of the fire is likely due to a wood-burning stove, Roderick said. There were no injuries as a result of the incident.

The village of Centreville is less than a month from starting up its own police department. After contracting law-enforcement service through the sheriff’s department for more than 20 years, the village has decided to run its own police force. Village president Jeff Johnson said interviews with chief candidates took place over the weekend. The village has allocated a $40,000 annual …

The city of Three Rivers is looking into whether it should establish an ordinance to regulate the growing number of collection boxes scattered throughout the city. Mayor Tom Lowry said he is concerned about the influx of containers, which seek donations ranging from books and shoes, to clothing. Lowry, who said he is in favor of an outright ban on …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week gave approval to fill a few open positions. A candidate for the job of deputy probate register will be pursued, as it was vacated due to the retirement of Bonnie Walter. Her last day of work was Friday. The vacant position of juvenile neglect/abuse specialist, which has been open for a …

Authorities say a Vicksburg man has died following a weekend snowmobile crash in Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula. 31-year-old Jeffery Wright died Saturday after the crash in Wexford County’s Clam Lake Township. Investigators say he lost control, and went off a trail and down an embankment before hitting trees. The crash happened about 35 miles southeast of Traverse City. (AP)

The city of Three Rivers is making an appeal to the public for help in filling vacancies on a variety of commissions and boards. City officials said the Three Rivers planning commission, River Country Recreational Authority, local officers compensation commission, board of appeals, industrial development authority, brownfield redevelopment authority and board of review are all in need of one additional …

Customers and others are rallying behind a northern Indiana supermarket where a gunman killed a customer and an employee before police fatally shot him. About 300 people gathered for a prayer vigil Saturday night in front of the Martin’s Super Market in Elkhart where the shootings occurred. Customer Adam Bujalski tells The Elkhart Truth that it’s important for him that …