Government

Palmer promoted to detective sergeant

A 20-year veteran with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department was promoted to detective sergeant, a position that will put him at the head of a beefed-up, drug-investigation unit. Burr Oak resident Lonnie Palmer was promoted from the position of detective, according to Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite. Palmer’s focus will shift to the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit, which was …

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Three arrested for meth

The St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit arrested three people on methamphetamine-related charges Tuesday night in Three Rivers. Acting on a tip, investigators raided a house in the 400 block of North Main Street and arrested two men and one woman for possession of methamphetamine. Two of the three face additional charges of operating a meth lab and maintaining a …

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Commissioners set date for work session

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has set a time and date for a work session next week. Commissioners will meet at 4 p.m. Thursday at the county courthouse to discuss two matters. Chairman Rick Shaffer said time will be taken to discuss the impending vacancy of the county administrator’s position. Current administrator Judy West-Wing plans to retire in …

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Man charged in connection with murders

A man has been charged with killing a southwestern Michigan couple, nearly three years after the victims were found in their home.  Keith Lintz of Niles is charged with first-degree murder and a gun crime. Authorities say Carolyn and John Tarwacki were beaten, stabbed and shot in February 2010. They lived in the Niles area.  A statement Thursday by the …

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Money designated to capital-improvement fund

Three-quarters of a $400,000 donation presented last week to the city of Three Rivers has been designated to a newly created capital-improvement fund. During Tuesday’s city commission meeting, Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners agreed to place $300,000 into the capital-improvement fund the city created as a result of the financial windfall. Though a specific use for the money has not …

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Two arraigned in District Court

Two Sturgis men who were apprehended after they robbed a convenience store last weekend have been arraigned in St. Joseph County District Court. Robyn Homan, 33, and Ian Baker, 26, were charged with one count of unarmed robbery. In addition, Homan was charged with two counts of resisting and obstructing an officer. Bond has been set at $20,000 following their …

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Enhanced drug-enforcement unit

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners followed through on their financial commitment toward an enhanced drug-enforcement unit that will focus on people behind methamphetamine production and sales. During Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners agreed to their part of the three-way funding mechanism that includes partnerships with the cities of Sturgis and Three Rivers. Previously, the commission accepted the funding …

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Redesigning mural mall

Members of the Three Rivers City Commission later this year are expected to award a contract for the job of redesigning the downtown mural mall. Steven Bishop, representing Grand Rapids-based Fleis and VanDenBrink Engineering presented drawings of the proposed project to Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting. Funding for the nearly $1 million project came from a $750,000 …

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Recognition for years of service

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday recognized 30 people observing milestone anniversaries as county employees. Soon-to-be-retired county administrator Judy West-Wing led the way with 30 years of service. Honored for their silver anniversary as county employees were Larry Diekman, Terry Hammond, Bernice Metzger, Tab Wedge, Pat Kulikowski, Tom Miller and Dan Kennedy. Also singled out Tuesday were …

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Sturgis police arrest suspect

Sturgis Police over the weekend arrested a suspect for driving into a pair of parked cars and running from officers. Neither the gender, age, nor community of residence of the person arrested was stated in a department media release. According to police, an incident in the 400 block of Sturgis Street was reported around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, when two cars …

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