County Information

State Rep. Matt Lori is urging a state Senate panel to consider legislation that will enable hunters to safely use rifles when hunting in southern Michigan. Lori told the Senate Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Committee that allowing rifles using specific cartridges for hunting in the southern part of the state – now limited to shotguns, muzzleloaders and pistols – would …

A potential request for a 1-mill increase is being debated by members of the Mendon Community Schools Board of Education. During a public forum Wednesday at Mendon High School, Superintendent Rob Kuhlman provided background on the district’s financial state and the rationale for considering a request that would generate $9.3 million over an eight-year period. If the request is authorized …

Mendon High School’s John Schwartz is one of eight football coaches representing Michigan in a nationwide contest by the publication USA Today. The “Best Of” contest, which started Monday, is an online-voting event to select the best high school football coach in the country. Every state is represented by a pool of eight coaches, and the field will be narrowed …

The St. Joseph County United way exceeded its goal during a three-hour Roof Sit at Sturgis Hospital Tuesday. The goal of $20,000 was met early on and the revised goal of $25,000 was surpassed by the time the event concluded. In all, the Roof Sit raised almost $25,800. United Way officials expressed their appreciation for the support and reminded that …

A township official in St. Joseph County has asked the county’s board of commissioners for financial help to rebuild a portion of a major north-south roadway in Florence Township. During Tuesday’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting, Florence Township Supervisor Gordon Evilsizor said the deteriorating condition of Constantine Road is a concern that needs attention. Evilsizor said the three-mile …

Three people were taken into custody after a residence in Three Rivers was raided and methamphetamine production was discovered. According to a sheriff’s department media release, members of the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit acted on a citizen tip regarding potential drug activity at a residence in the 200 block of North Hooker Avenue. Once inside the residence, SCAN …

Minor injuries were sustained by motorists involved in a three-vehicle, fog-related accident Monday. State police officials said they responded to a 7 a.m. accident on U.S. 131 and Anderson Road in Mottville Township, where a southbound semi swerved into the northbound lane and struck an oncoming semi that had stopped to turn west onto Anderson Road. The collision also impacted …

Fishing gear, a 10-foot kayak and other boating accessories were stolen from a cabin in Lockport Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department was called to a seasonal residence in the 57000 block of Holtom Road to investigate the incident, which occurred between Sept. 13 and 27. Details regarding access to the building were not provided in a department media …

A large amount of copper wire was stolen from farm equipment and grain bins at a site in the 29000 block of Brandt Road in Colon Township, according to state police. The incident, which possibly occurred within the past week, was reported Monday morning, according to authorities.

The August unemployment rate in St. Joseph County fell by more than two percent compared to the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 7.7 percent August unemployment rate was less than July’s 9.8 percent. The August 2013 unemployment rate was three-tenths of a percent less than the …