St. Joseph County ended 2020 with a surplus featuring a combined fund-balance increase of more than $2.2 million compared to 2019. The good news was delivered during Tuesday’s commission meeting, when Joe Verlin of the Grand Rapids-based firm Gabridge & Co., provided a detailed analysis of the annual audit. Afterward, however, finance director Angie Steinman cautioned that the surplus was …

Organizers of the twice-a-year collection of household hazardous waste and recycling of electronics have announced the date of the fall collection. Pat Kulikowski, secretary of the St. Joseph County Solid Waste Committee, said the collection will be 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 2 at the county fairgrounds. As always, the event will provide an opportunity for residents to turn over …

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a theft incident reported earlier this month from a location in Nottawa Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said the agency was notified that several hickory logs were stolen between Sept. 11 and 13 from a wooded area on Walterspaugh Road, near Butler Road. Authorities said the logs are 8 to 10 feet long, with a diameter of …

Colon police are investigating the theft of a decorative rabbit from outside a business the night of Sept. 11 or morning of Sept. 12. Estimated at 3 feet high and weighing approximately 250 pounds, the concrete rabbit was taken from out front of Adams Financial Services on North Blackstone Avenue. The rabbit is part of the “Colon Magic Bunnies” theme …

The 2021 St. Joseph County Grange Fair reaches its halfway point today and there is plenty going on throughout the day and into the evening. Today is “Seniors Day” and the list of activities includes bingo, COA luncheon, harness racing, 4-H animal project demonstrations and other 4-H animal events. There will be live music at 6 o’clock at the Free …

Today is Education Day at the St. Joseph County Grange Fair. In addition to wristbands honored at all rides from 3 to 10, highlights include 4-H horse-show driving, 4-H beef cattle show and dairy feeder show, bingo, harness racing, music at the free stage from Sweet Johnny Knox, and the Helmsmen perform at the community tent. Tonight’s main attraction at …

Barring any major modifications, it appears St. Joseph County is going back to being run by a seven-member board. The Apportionment Commission charged with reviewing the county’s 2020 U.S. Census figures and adjusting county representation proportionately has come up with a seven-district proposal, as it was for decades prior to 2010. Apportionment Commission members met Friday and will reconvene Oct. …

Friday’s gathering for what was being billed as a “Constitution Day Celebration” drew fewer people than expected to downtown Centreville. Event organizers had projected about 600 people but an unofficial count over the course of the eight-hour rally showed fewer in the crowd. Jackson-area native Ted Nugent and his wife, Shemane, were among the speakers, which was comprised of mostly politicians, …

Two people were injured in a head-on crash this week in Cass County’s LaGrange Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 10:25 p.m. Wednesday to an area of M-62 near Kingsbury Street. Deputies said a southbound vehicle driven by 38-year-old Dowagiac resident Melissa Tripp was struck head-on by a northbound vehicle that crossed the centerline. The second vehicle …

Sheriff’s deputies are on the lookout for a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run incident earlier this week in Lockport Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called around 7 p.m. Tuesday to M-60 near Marlene Drive, across from Three Rivers Airport. The suspect vehicle was identified as a black, Dodge 2500 pickup with a diesel engine. The suspect vehicle suffered …