St. Joseph County commissioners are expected to make at least four exceptions to their hiring freeze to fill key positions. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman told commissioners during their executive committee meeting Wednesday he would like to fill three openings – two at animal control and a deputy road patrol position. Meanwhile, Tabitha Wedge, District Court administrator/magistrate, asked commissioners to consider an …

The St. Joseph County United Way is offering $50 gift cards to people who receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The promotion will conclude Sept. 30th or until the inventory of gift cards has been exhausted. United Way Executive Director Kelly Hostetler said the agency was the recipient of $58,000 to help local healthcare providers get more people vaccinated in St. Joseph …

Three nominees will be a part of the inaugural class of the St. Joseph County Road Commission “Recognition Award” program. Commission manager John Lindsey announced the recognition and honorees during last week’s county board meeting. Lindsey said Bruce Jones, D.W. Arney and Frank Shellenberger will be recognized for the honor. Jones, who passed away in 2018, spent 52 years with …

Isaac J Mallo of Dowagiac was born into the arms of Jesus on Monday, July 26, 2021. Surviving Isaac are his parents Jaron and Rachel (Robinson) Mallo, brother Titus Mallo, all of Dowagiac, grandparents Dawn and Aaron Mallo, Jones, Brent and Julie Robinson, Dowagiac, great grandparents Nancy DuFour, Union, Judy and Carroll Clark, Dowagiac, and several aunts, uncles and cousins. …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday announced economic development grants for manufacturers Cruiser RV and Heartland Recreational Vehicles in support of two new manufacturing campuses in Sturgis. State officials said the projects are expected to support 450 new jobs in St. Joseph County. The projects, identified as Project White and Project Black, were announced in March by the city of Sturgis, with state stipulations preventing details …

An arrest related to a shooting incident in Three Rivers earlier this month has been made. Authorities said 21-year-old Sturgis resident Donovan Foster has been taken into custody, as he is the suspect in a shooting July 12 at Paul’s Pantry, 261 E. Michigan Ave. Foster was arrested Thursday at a home in Sturgis and taken to the St. Joseph County jail. A …

A celebration recognizing the new location of Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce took place Monday. The fanfare and ceremonial ribbon-cutting marked the $1 million transformation of a previously vacant development known as Maple Lane Plaza, on North Main Street. The rebirth of the former Maple Lane Plaza was detailed and praised repeatedly by a number of speakers who addressed …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the theft of catalytic converters from two Dodge Ram pickup trucks. According to Trooper Jason Sylvester, the trucks were parked at a business in the 52000 block of U.S. 131 in Park Township. The incident occurred sometime between June 16 and July 19, Sylvester said.

Glen Oaks Community College has been selected to participate in a National Science Foundation program that provides training and support to assist the college’s expertise in grant-writing. Glen Oaks is one of 13 two-year colleges nationally chosen to participate in the program in which Project Vision’s staff and its teams work with local faculty and staff to put together strong …

St. Joseph County Commission on Aging Advisory Board members are considering a collections policy for Rivers Enrichment Center and Residence in Three Rivers. The issue, raised at last week’s board meeting, centers on the fact that more than $5,000 is owed for damages and unpaid rent from three former tenants. Board chair Deb Davis said the county doesn’t use a …