The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is announcing an impending closure to its lobby. Due to construction at the Centreville-based agency, the entrance to the lobby will be closed Monday through Friday next week. With the closure, the jail will be unable to allow visitors, take fingerprints or conduct the purchase of permits. Anyone in need with assistance regarding court-ordered …

St. Joseph County Road Commission recently received a statewide award from a state agency. The IMPRESS award was bestowed at the 2023 County Road Commission Highway Conference last month. IMPRESS awards acknowledge county road agencies that demonstrate innovation on notable projects in the categories of communications, operations and collaboration. The award recognized the agency for its Shimmel Road project centering …

Wow! I want to find the bunny that laid this egg!  The people here call me “Pistol Pete”  I am Tan and White, about one and a half years old.  I am a partially housetrained male.  I will need my neuter surgery.    I get along with other dogs, I don’t know about getting along with kids or cats.  My docket number is 54735 at the …

St. Joseph County Conservation District announced its “Conservationist of the Year” during its annual meeting last week. Agency director Carolyn Grace said Don Preston was the recipient of the conservation district’s highest honor. Preston, who works for the St. Joseph County Road Commission, learned to identify the various invasive species of plants invading the road commission’s right of way. Preston’s …

The deadline for orders for the St. Joseph County Conservation District’s annual tree sale is approaching. The 2023 sale features about two dozen varieties of trees and bushes. The inventory includes pagoda dogwood, red oak, sugar maple, white pine, black walnut and common lilac. Prices and varieties are available on the agency’s website. Pickup date is May 5 and 6 …

What’s going on over there?  All these people around me.  I hope someone will take me home.  I am ready for my new digs.   I am “Cosmo.”  I am a male, black and white mix.  I am housetrained and I get along with other dogs and maybe kids (if I know them).  I like to play and chase balls on …

A grant provided through the Sturgis Area Community Foundation and the Sturgis Youth Advisory Council will result in free amusement rides during this summer’s Sturgis Fest. The foundation, accompanied by YAC representatives, presented a check Friday for $4,500 to the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce, which chamber officials said will be used at Sturgis Fest to help with costs associated …

Centreville Junior High and High School students had the opportunity Wednesday to weigh in on a potential addition to their lunch menu. A program called “Student Choice,” overseen by food vendor Chartwells, was introduced at lunchtime. Marilyn Rosewarne, director of dining services, said students had the option to sample two types of cuisine: Asian-themed Bok Choy, featuring teriyaki chicken and/or …

Student representatives from Constantine Public Schools won two of the three Clue Me In competitions staged last week at St. Joseph County Intermediate School District. The contest involves students in fourth, fifth and sixth grades in head-to-head, grade-level competition centering on content from a dozen books participants were assigned to read. Students from White Pigeon won the fourth-grade competition. Constantine …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph County Health Agency last week increased fees for immunization and environmental permits for water, septic and restaurant inspections. The revised fees take effect April 1. Board member Tom Matthew expressed concern a $23 administration fee charged for each immunization shot would discourage people from seeking the service, especially children for receiving vaccine protection. Health officer Rebecca Burns said …