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St. Joseph County officials last week approved an agreement to continue extension services from Michigan State University. The matter had been debated during budget discussions but ultimately, commissioners agreed to a contract in excess of $123,000 For the money, St. Joseph County will receive an educator and program coordinator, both on a part-time basis. In addition, the allocation will cover …

This is the final column for 2016. I’m taking the rest of the year off and recharging my brain. I do this at this time every year. The next column will be on Tuesday, January 3, 2017. One of the weird things about beginning a new year is remembering to change the year when writing a check. Then, with all …

Two people were arrested on drug-related offenses last week and face additional charges of mail theft. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said deputies spotted a vehicle at 3:15 p.m. Saturday parked along Mill Pond Road near Fawn River Road in White Pigeon Township. Investigators said a 23-year-old woman was seen burning mail. Meanwhile, deputies found she and her 24-year-old …

Sturgis city commissioners earlier this month reappointed five members to the city’s Building Authority Board for one-year terms. They are Julie Andrews, Dan Arney, Andy Boyd, Ned Heydlauff and Mike Wilson. In an unrelated matter of business, a report on expanding the city’s fiber optic capabilities resulted in no action. Commissioners, however, expressed an interest in exploring a proposal for …

Members from two area fire departments made Christmas brighter for some Three Rivers and area families last week. Personnel from Three Rivers and Fabius-Park departments Friday delivered gifts to families in the annual “Firefighters for Santa.” Beginning at 3 p.m., firefighters, with the help of Santa, delivered the presents in one- hour blocks. In addition, each of the 90 families …

St. Joseph County Animal Control recently received a new piece of agility equipment. The piece is a ring jump and was provided thanks to the Centreville Courageous K-9s 4- H Club. The ring jump is adjustable, and can be used for small and large dogs. St. Joseph County Animal Control supervisor Greg Musser thanked the club for its generosity and …

A Marcellus man died in a house fire over the holiday weekend. Marcellus firefighters were dispatched to a home on Woodland Street early Sunday afternoon where they found 63-year-old Gordon Booz deceased inside the house. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The November unemployment rate in St. Joseph County remained unchanged compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 3.9 percent November unemployment rate was equal to October’s figure. November’s unemployment rate was seven-tenths of a percent higher than the same month one year earlier, when the …

Cass County sheriff’s officials have submitted to the prosecutor’s office information regarding a man allegedly impersonating a police officer. The agency last week received a tip from a Jones resident aware of a neighbor on Born Street who matched the description of a subject and his vehicle mentioned in a department press release. A deputy responded to the address and …

A former Three Rivers pastor was sentenced last week on charges related to a case of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. James Bailey was sentenced Thursday by Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman to nine months in jail and five years of probation. The 66-year-old’s sentence stems from incidents on two dates early this year at Three Rivers Bible Church. Police said …