Government

A fire was quickly contained early Wednesday at a residence in Lockport Township. Firefighters were called at 12:30 a.m. to the 60000 block of Lutz Road, where fire personnel reported the residence filling with smoke. A wood- burning stove in the basement was found to be the source of the fire. Damage to the residence was limited, firefighters said.

December’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County bucked a months-long trend and increased from November’s figure. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 7.6 percent December unemployment rate was a nine-tenths percent of an increase from November. Still, the December 2012 rate was 1.5 percent less than the same month …

A Three Rivers man who played a part in an explosion of a methamphetamine lab that killed another man was arraigned in circuit court last week. Frank Paauwee, 40, was arraigned on charges of involuntary manslaughter, and operating and maintaining a meth lab following a September 2012 incident outside a garage at a residence on South Andrews Street. Magistrate Mark …

State Rep. Matt Lori last week was named to the House Appropriations Committee, and will again serve as chair of the Department of Community Health subcommittee. Lori, a Constantine-area resident, said he is pleased to again have a hand in making decisions that will have a direct impact on how the money trusted to the legislature by hard-working taxpayers is …

The St. Joseph County Area Narcotics arrested three subjects during an investigation involving the distribution and manufacturing of methamphetamine in the city of Three Rivers. During the investigation in 700 block of West  Michigan Avenue several grams of methamphetamine were found and a small amount of marijuana. The subjects were charged with possession of meth precursors, possession of marijuana, possession …

Members of the St. Joseph County Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services board were asked Tuesday to spare cuts on its clients who are mentally challenged. During the panel’s monthly meeting at its Centreville office, about two dozen clients gathered to ask that a proposed, 25 percent across-the-board cut not be leveled against the budget applicable to their services. …

A man was charged with possession of marijuana after police responded to complaints of a dirt bike being driven at a high rate of speed in a residential area. The name, age and residence of the man was not stated in a Three Rivers Police Department media release. Officers were called to the 600 block of Oak Street Monday after …

Michigan State Police investigators were called to Constantine Township last week in response to a home invasion incident. A department media release said between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Thursday, someone broke into a residence in the 63000 block of Youngs Prairie Road. No one was home at the time. A television, video game systems and a rifle were among …

An anonymous tip to the Three Rivers Police Department has prompted an investigation into marijuana-laced candy at Three Rivers High School. According to the Three Rivers Police Department, an officer was dispatched to the school Friday in response to a report of two students possessing marijuana-laced candy. The two students indicated they purchased the candy from another student, and other …

A Sturgis man was arrested for fourth-offense driving under the influence after he was arrested over the weekend. Quentin Banks, 29, was also wanted on a felony child-support warrant and driving with a suspended license after he was pulled over at 2 a.m. Saturday. Officers noticed his vehicle did not have its headlights on and initiated the traffic stop at …