Government

The Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce has announced it will host a State of the Area address next week. Officials from five governmental entities will provide economic updates during the 90-minute program that begins at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Three Rivers Community Center. The agenda features Centreville DDA Director Carol Snow-Penn, Constantine Village Manager Mark Honeysett, Mendon Village …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners last week approved a mediation agreement with a former employee. Without discussion, commissioners approved a motion that awards $150,000 to Anita Trayling, who previously served as an appraiser in the equalization department. County administrator Pat Yoder said Trayling’s position was dissolved in 2009. She subsequently took a temporary position with the prosecutor’s office but …

The St. Joseph County Road Commission was thwarted two weeks ago in an attempt to secure a loan from the county to help offset costs of building repairs and upgrades. Road Commission chair John Bippus appeared before the county executive committee to inquire about $1.5 million the road commission would like to borrow to conduct repairs at its headquarters west …

St. Joseph County officials recently received an update on the concept of a single entry to the county courthouse. The county’s physical resources committee last month was provided additional details from Bob VanPutten and Stave Jara, representing Landmark Design Group. A review was provided regarding the security officers’ station with monitors, while the two also indicated all exit doors will …

Last month’s massive 193-vehicle pileup on I-94 in Kalamazoo County is prompting an audit by the state. The Michigan Department of Transportation will study the 138-mile stretch of the highway from the Indiana state line to Jackson to see if any upgrades to I-94 are needed. The investigation was requested by state Senator Margaret O’Brien of Portage, whose district includes the crash …

A Kent County man was arrested after he was involved in a slide-off accident last week in Constantine Township. Sheriff’s department officials said the incident occurred around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, when a car reported stolen out of Grand Rapids slid off U.S. 131 near North River Road. The incident was reported by a passing motorist, who also provided the license …

An Indiana man was taken to the hospital after he was involved in a two-vehicle accident Thursday in Park Township. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, the 51-year-old man was attempting to cross U.S. 131 from Heimbach Road, when his pickup was struck by a southbound semi. The force of the collision tore the bed from the cab …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners approved a few personnel matters during last week’s meeting. Landon Hackenberg’s status as a corrections officer was changed from full time to part time, while corrections officer Travis Balk was moved from part-time to full-time employment. Balk will be paid an hourly rate of $18.60. Jay Parker was hired by the sheriff’s department …

State police say they have reconstructed last month’s massive pileup on I-94 in southwestern Michigan and are determining whether anybody will face criminal charges. The Kalamazoo Gazette reports that police officials plan to meet with Kalamazoo County prosecutors to assess any possible negligent driving that contributed to the Jan. 9 wreck. The chain-reaction crashes involved nearly 200 vehicles on both …

Two people were arrested earlier this week following the execution of a search warrant in Three Rivers. Investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit arrested the pair after a traffic stop was made on U.S. 131. SCAN investigators received information about subjects involved in trafficking methamphetamine, and that they would be at the Michigan Department of Corrections office …