Sheriff Mark A. Lillywhite and deputies are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the driver of a blue sport bike. The agency’s interest stems from a pursuit on Fawn River Road around 10 a.m. Friday, Lillywhite said.

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week agreed to exemptions to the county’s hiring freeze for one position at district court, and five spots with the sheriff’s department. Tabitha Wedge, District Court administrator/magistrate, was given approval to fill the position of deputy clerk for the court’s civil division. Meanwhile, undersheriff Jason Bingaman was authorized to fill five positions within …

A key figure with the local health department said it will recommend, but probably not mandate, that school districts adopt universal masking in grades K-12 when classes resume for the 2021-22 academic year. Rebecca Burns, health officer for the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, appeared Tuesday before St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Burns provided her annual report for 2020, …

The YMCA of Greater Michiana Board of Directors has announced a partnership with Benton Harbor-based Abonmarche Consultants to develop a facility master plan for the Y’s Camp Eberhart in Fabius Township. Mark Weber, CEO of YMCA of Greater Michiana, said many old and historic buildings on Camp Eberhart’s property need to be preserved and renovated. Weber said there is a …

A Sturgis woman was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay restitution for embezzling more than $180,000 from a Three Rivers real estate company. Jill Schmidt, 46, will be on probation two years for embezzling more than $183,000 from her former employer, REMAX Elite Group, where she had worked for 14 years. She was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Paul …

A Burr Oak woman was treated for minor injuries after the vehicle she was driving was rear-ended last week in Burr Oak Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called around 6:30 a.m. Friday to the intersection of U.S. 12 and Halfway Road in response to a two-vehicle collision. Investigators said Rebecca Smallwood, 36, was driving west and began slowing …

Here’s the latest COVID-19 update from the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. The agency said Branch County is seeing the largest increase, with 76 new cases during the one-week period ending July 26. Meanwhile, Hillsdale County had 17 new cases and St. Joseph County had 13 new cases. As a result of its increase, Branch County has been labeled “high …

June’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by one-tenth of a percent from May. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget was released last week. It showed St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate fell from 5.6 percent in May to 5.5 percent in June. The rate was 10.7 percent a year earlier, as June …

I am one smart, handsome dude!  I was born May 28, 2020.  I am a neutered male, I’m Heartworm negative, current on my Rabies and I am GOOD with kids.  But I am not good with other male dogs.  I am housetrained too.  My docket number is 49817, at the St. Joseph County Animal Control Shelter located at 652 E. Main …

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 …