Government

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners will address a few housecleaning matters during its 5 p.m. meeting today. Assembling one day later than usual because of the New Year holiday, commissioners are expected to revise policies related to its MERS hybrid pension plan and its health insurance program; review addendums to employment contracts with Lori Barczak and Patricia Kane; and …

A light agenda awaits Mayor Tom Lowry and members of the Three Rivers City Commission this evening. Approving the minutes of the commission’s Dec. 18 meeting and six matters all under the consent agenda comprise the only business before the city commission today. There are no presentations, public hearings or communications scheduled. The meeting is slated to begin at 6 …

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an armed robbery which occurred Monday evening at a home on White Temple Road in Penn Township. The victim said he walked in on two suspects during a home invasion. One of the suspects reportedly pointed a gun at the victim and tied him up. A number of items were stolen. The victim …

Lindsay Howes, Three Rivers city clerk, plans to announce her resignation from the position in order to take a job working for St. Joseph County. A four-member interview committee has chosen Howes to serve as St. Joseph County grant writer, a job vacant since Marcia Saunders left the post in April 2011. Howes’ appointment to the job is contingent on …

Members of the White Pigeon Village Council took a look ahead to 2013 and, during their December meeting, identified areas they hope to address in the coming 12 months. Council President Dan Czajkowski (chi-KOW-ski), said the projects ranged from painting the exterior of the village’s water tower and park improvements, to curb and building repairs, and reviewing and enforcing signage …

A 15-year-old boy from Sturgis faces a charge of unlicensed driver following a one-vehicle crash at 5 p.m. Thursday in Nottawa Township. St. Joseph County Sheriff Brad Balk said deputies were called to an area near River Run and Angevine roads in response to a vehicle that skidded off the road. Investigators found that a Ford Explorer heading east on …

Sturgis police were called Wednesday evening to a report of an attempted armed robbery at the Walmart store on Centerville Road. According to a department media release, a well-dressed, white man who appeared to be in his 50s, met privately with the store manager after convincing her he was with the sheriff’s department. During a subsequent conversation, the man displayed …

Wednesday’s snowfall was substantial enough to begin the 2013 White Pigeon Snowman-Building contest. Event organizers said if conditions don’t change too drastically, the competition will continue through next week. Judging will take place through photos emailed to box_art@hotmail.com. White Pigeon Village Trustee Shireen Cline, who has been a key organizer of the event, said a number of categories exist and …

Deputy Sgt. Geoffrey Smith of the Sturgis Police Department and deputy fire chief Andrew Strudwick have announced the city’s fire department has improved its ISO rating from a Class 6 to a Class 4. In a recent presentation before members of the city commission, Smith and Strudwick said the Class 4 status makes the Sturgis Fire Department one of 87 …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Chairman Rick Shaffer compiled a list of 2012 accomplishments and noteworthy tidbits relevant to county-related matters. During last week’s final county commission meeting of the year, Shaffer reviewed a list of 31 items he noted as highlights. Shaffer also added he appreciates the work his fellow commissioners put in in 2012. The list of …