County commission hears Oswald’s annual report

A downward trend related to births in St. Joseph County continued in 2015, as 11 fewer babies were born last year compared to 2014.
Presenting her inaugural annual report to the county commission Tuesday, clerk and register of deeds Lindsay Oswald provided a variety of statistics related to the three departments she oversees.
She said the register of deeds office last year processed 395 passports – an increase of 11 from 2014 – generating nearly $10,000 in revenue. The service remains in high demand through the first two months of the year, Oswald said.
Also in 2015, the register of deeds office processed 10,922 documents, down from 11,441 the year before.
From the county clerk’s office, Oswald said 626 births were recorded in 2015, down from 637 in 2014. The office recorded 476 deaths last year, 59 fewer than the year before.
The office in 2015 processed 913 concealed pistol licenses, a jump from 821 in 2014.
The county clerk’s circuit court division processed 355 divorces last year, an increase from 310 in 2014. Oswald said 537 criminal cases were filed in 2015, a higher rate than 494 in 2014.
And 255 personal-protection orders were issued in 2015, an increase from 241 in 2014.