Government

A fundraiser to help the Constantine Fire Department purchase five Automated External Defibrillators is scheduled to take place later this month. A spaghetti dinner is set for 12:30 to 3 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Constantine American Legion, north of the village on U.S. 131. There is no charge but donations are being requested. Chief Mike Haydon said the department …

St. Joseph County’s search for a new administrator resulted in an unexpected selection Tuesday. J. Patrick Yoder, who held the position from its inception in 1990 until 1994, has accepted the job, which is the highest, non-elected position in county government. A native of Suttons Bay, the 63-year-old Yoder met with commissioners during a work session to discuss his potential …

A 43-year-old Sturgis woman was charged with drunken driving and open intoxicant following a traffic stop last week in Sturgis. A Michigan State Police trooper noticed her vehicle being driven without its headlights illuminated on South Centerville Road. In addition, a 42-year-old passenger was charged with open intoxicants and a probation violation for possession and consumption of alcohol. They were …

A loud exhaust prompted a trooper from the Michigan State Police to stop a vehicle last Wednesday on U.S. 12 in Burr Oak Township. The driver, a 22-year-old Bronson resident, was driving on a suspended license and also was found to be wanted on a warrant for failure to appear on an unspecified charge, police said. He posted a cash …

Members of the Centreville Village Council are debating whether to purchase a police vehicle to replace the current car. The council is mulling the idea of a Chevy Tahoe. Council member Jeff Johnson said the vehicle – fitted with standard law-enforcement equipment – would cost about $ 35,000. St. Joseph County Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite has been involved in the process …

A 44-year-old Three Rivers woman was issued a moving violation after the vehicle she was driving rear-ended a school bus last week in Park Township. Investigators from the White Pigeon detachment of the Michigan State Police said the incident occurred at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the railroad crossing on Moorepark Road, just east of U.S. 131. Police said the Three …

The Cass County Drug Enforcement Team seized firearms, methamphetamine, marijuana, illegally-obtained prescription drugs and meth-lab components in a search of a Porter Township residence last week. According to Cass County officials, Blayne Wolf, 47, and Barbara Balentine, 52, were arrested following the 6:30 p.m. raid Thursday in the 13000 block of Carter Lake Street, near the community of Union. Wolf …

Three area agencies were successful in pulling a man from Pleasant Lake after he fell through ice Thursday morning. The Three Rivers Fire Department, Fabius-Park Townships Fire Department and the St. Joseph County Dive Rescue team were dispatched shortly before 8 a.m. to the Fabius Township location. Two lake residents used an extension ladder and rope to try saving the …

State Rep. Matt Lori, who serves on the House Appropriations Committee, has issued a statement regarding Gov. Rick Snyder’s budget presentation. Lori, a Constantine-area resident, said he is looking forward to examining Snyder’s budget proposal in detail. Lori said Snyder opened the door to discussion on how legislators spend taxpayers’ money, and it is Lori’s goal to make sure legislators …

Voters in the Three Rivers Community Schools district will be asked later this year to renew a non-homestead tax that generated more than $3.7 million last year. The 20-year-request will appear before voters in May, as the current non-homestead tax is expiring soon and renewal of what is currently more than 17.2 mills the district collects is essential to its …