County Information

Bills approved by the House

State Rep. Matt Lori played a role in a package of bills approved this week by the House Criminal Justice Committee. Three of the bills lower the blood-alcohol content level from the current 0.10 to 0.08 percent for operators of boats, off-road vehicles and snowmobiles. Lori’s portion of the bills is specific to watercraft. Meanwhile, Lori’s Crime Stoppers bill establishes …

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Wash after handling live baby chicks

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency this week received reports of salmonella cases possibly linked to the handling of live baby chicks. The Coldwater-based agency said the situation should serve as a reminder that people who touch ducklings or chicks should wash your hands immediately afterward. Agency officials said live baby poultry may be put on display at stores where …

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Brush pick-up in Sturgis

The city of Sturgis is continuing its brush pick-up through the end of the week. Department of Public Services crews started the process Monday from the north side of the city and are making their way to the south end. City officials ask that materials be neatly stacked on the terrace area, away from objects or obstructions such as power …

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Items stolen from residence

Items from a residence in Colon Township were stolen during a forced-entry break-in last week. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said deputies were called to the 32000 block of Decker Road, where jewelry and a number of other items were stolen. The victim told police the incident likely occurred between Thursday last week and this past Sunday.

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Sheriff investigating breaking-&-entering

Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that occurred last weekend in Leonidas Township. According to a department media release, a barn was entered by the suspect and cigarettes were stolen from a vehicle parked inside. The suspect was confronted by a resident and fled the area on foot, westbound toward Correll Road.

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Millage renewals pass

Officials from school districts in Three Rivers and White Pigeon saw non-homestead millage renewals pass with ease Tuesday. In Three Rivers, nearly two-thirds of the 612 participating voters OK’d an 18-mill renewal levied to the tax bills of commercial and non-homestead properties. The millage generates nearly $3.7 million annually and represents about 15 percent of the district’s annual budget. White …

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Voters support increase in millage

Smoother roads will be appearing in Sturgis over the next decade, as voters Tuesday supported a 3-mill increase dedicated to street improvements and sidewalk repairs. The 10-year millage is expected to generate about $6.7 million in all, thanks to voter support of the proposal, which passed by a 3-to-2 margin. Mayor Ken Malone said the 3 mills will appear on …

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Financial support for new animal shelter

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners were asked Tuesday to consider providing financial support to help establish a new animal shelter. Proposed as a jointly run operation between the county and the newly formed River Country Humane Society, the potential facility is being eyed at the 12-acre location previously occupied by Finnerman’s Farm and Garden Equipment site …

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Hunt arrested

Assistance from the Michigan State Police Fugitive Team helped Sturgis Police take custody of a man wanted in connection with a domestic-battery complaint filed last month. Sturgis police said Geoffrey Hunt, 24, was sought in Sturgis and Three Rivers after the report was filed regarding an incident in the 1200 block of East Chicago Road. Sturgis investigators were advised Hunt …

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Injuries following one-car crash

A 65-year-old Kalamazoo woman was treated for injuries she suffered last week following a one-car crash in Flowerfield Township. Officials from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Donna Rees was driving west on M-216 when she said she swerved to avoid striking a small animal and drove off the roadway east of Bent Road. Witnesses told investigators they observed …

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