County Information

Centreville takes home state softball title

St. Joseph County is home to a state championship sports team. The Centreville Bulldogs claimed the school’s first-ever state title in softball Saturday by beating No. 2-ranked Coleman High School by a score of 5-to-2. Centreville advanced to the Division 4 title game by topping Unionville-Sebewaing, 4-to-0, Friday. Both games were played in East Lansing at Michigan State University. Centreville, …

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Successful Water Festival concludes

From its opening-night parade Thursday to the event-ending soap box derby Sunday, the 2018 Three Rivers Water Festival will go down in the books as a success. Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Christy Trammell said the 62nd annual community celebration got off to a strong start with a parade that was as well-attended as she can remember. …

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Head of Transportation Authority announces retirement

The leader of the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority the past 10 years has announced he will be retiring next month. Steve Yorks, who joined the agency in 2008 after previously working as transportation director for Three Rivers Community Schools, will stay on board through the end of July. In the meantime, he will train his replacement, Susan Vosmik, who …

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Sturgis Commissioners vote down medical marijuana motion

A motion regarding medical marijuana facilities failed Wednesday on a tie vote by members of the Sturgis City Commission. Language of the ordinance they were considering would have allowed provisioning centers in manufacturing and commercial zoning areas that were not within 1,000 feet of schools, churches, public parks or residential areas either inside or outside of the city. A dozen audience members spoke …

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MDHHS seeks public comment on grant

Public comment on an application to be submitted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is being accepted through Friday. The public comment centers on the Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant, which provides funding to improve the health of mothers, infants and children, including children with health-care needs. Based on a needs assessment, the …

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Kayak stolen in Lockport

St. Joseph County sheriff’s deputies report that a kayak was stolen last week from a location in Lockport Township. The incident occurred shortly before 6 p.m. Thursday in the 58000 block of Pond View Lane, near the St. Joseph River. The green kayak was stolen sometime the previous night, the victim told authorities.

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Centreville softball earns another win

Centreville High School’s softball team is two wins from a state title after the Bulldogs won their quarter-final contest Tuesday. Centreville topped Ottawa Lake Whiteford, 7-to-3 in Battle Creek. On tap for the Bulldogs is a Friday evening, Division 4 semi-final contest against Unionville-Sebewaing. The Patriots will enter the 5:30 p.m. contest with a 29-and-7 record, while Centreville has a …

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Police release name of man in lockdown situation

Officials from the Three Rivers Police Department have released the name of the man involved in a situation that resulted in lockdown status at Hoppin Elementary School last week. The suspect is 30-year-old Kyle Longacre of Three Rivers. He was taken to the county jail and arraigned on charges of one count of carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent …

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Centreville names new principal

Centreville Public Schools has announced its new elementary principal. During a special meeting Monday, the district’s board of education acted on the recommendation of superintendent Stephanie Lemmer and an interview committee, and made official the hiring of Mark VenderKlok. His employment takes effect July 1. Terms of his contract are being negotiated. VanderKlok has spent the past eight years with …

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Constantine Board President recall suspended

The recall of Constantine Public Schools Board President John Shuler has been suspended. St. Joseph County Clerk Lindsay Oswald issued a media release Monday, in which she stated at advice of legal counsel, the recall petition for Shuler is being rejected as to form. Consequently, there will not be a hearing Monday next week, as originally scheduled. The petition to …

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