Government

The latest PowerPoint presentation regarding a proposed river trail concept has been added to St. Joseph County’s website. The document shows the current state of the St. Joseph County River Trail Master Plan, including initial concept plan sketches following simultaneous meetings last week in Three Rivers and Sturgis. Input to landscape architect Suzanne Fromson of Edgewater Resources is welcome via …

Members of the Centreville Village Council have approved the hiring of Sgt. David Richmond as the chief of police. During a special meeting Monday, council members made the approval two weeks after they increased Richmond’s pay to what is considered is in line with the duties he was performing. Richmond was appointed interim chief at an October meeting. The 30-year-old …

The massive fire that killed 18 horses at Smithfield Stables in Edwardsburg last week is being ruled accidental. Fire investigators from the Michigan State Police believe the blaze was sparked by someone burning leaves behind the barn last Tuesday, but note there is no direct evidence to prove that theory. In addition to the 18 show horses, a donkey and a dog …

The city of Sturgis has declared a citywide snow-removal emergency due to snow accumulations of greater than four inches. The snow emergency went into effect at 10 p.m. Monday. By ordinance, during a declared snow removal emergency parking is prohibited on all city streets. Furthermore, the owner of any vehicle parked in violation is subject to being issued a citation …

An 18-year-old Constantine woman was airlifted to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo after a two-vehicle crash last weekend in Three Rivers. St. Joseph County Sheriff deputies said a vehicle driven by Alexandra Harrison pulled in front of a semi driven by a 42-year-old man from Detroit at 2:50 a.m. Sunday at the intersection of U. S. 131 and West Michigan …

A prospective trial date for Raymond McCann has been delayed at the request of his attorney, who also made a request for a change of venue. McCann, 47, is a former Constantine police reserve officer charged with lying in testimony related to the unsolved 2007 homicide of Jodi Parrack. Attorney James Mequio on Friday made the request before St. Joseph …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has approved a number of personnel matters at its recent meetings. Jacob Fassett has been hired as a part-time corrections officer, while Nancy Franovich has been employed on a temporary basis for victim services. Also, Virginia Trattles’ employment has been shifted to 30 hours a week in the finance department and 10 hours …

West South Street, from South Centerville Road to east of the railroad tracks, was identified in Sturgis’ 10-year street-improvement program and has been selected for significant rehabilitation. City commissioners last week approved the task order with Fleis and Vandenbrink Engineering, Inc. for preliminary design, final design and bidding services for $48,000. Construction for West South Street will be partially funded …

A Constantine woman died following a chain-reaction traffic accident Thursday morning on a slippery US-131 south of Schoolcraft. The victim was identified as 59-year-old Deborah Mead. She had to be extricated from the vehicle, after her car was shoved into the path of a fuel truck. Mead died several hours later at Bronson Methodist Hospital.

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a breaking-and-entering incident in Colon Township. According to a department media release, the investigation took place around 4 p.m. Wednesday at a residence in the 58000 block of Long Lake Road. Access into the residence was gained through a window. Investigators said a number of items inside the residence were moved and …