Three requests for an exception to the hiring freeze were approved by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this week. During Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners approved a request by sheriff Jason Bingaman for animal control support assistant. The $47,000 position will become vacant in six weeks and involves licensing, kennel management, data entry and other duties. Commissioners also approved a …

Two wells in Mendon have tested positive for PFAS at higher than screening levels, according to Paul Andriaachi, director of environmental health at Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. Andriaachi said it is safe to drink the water, though further investigation is underway and more samples will be taken. He said 10 wells were sampled Jan. 3, including four just outside …

William (Bill) Clewell, age 58, of Constantine, passed away on Monday, February 3, 2020, at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital. He was born to Marilyn Dowling on August 24,1961 in South Bend. He spent his early years in California, and graduated from White Pigeon High School in 1980. He started work for Pioneer Hi-Bred at the age of 17, for 17 …

Dale L. Cloud, age 69, of Union, MI died on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at his home. He was born January 6, 1951 in Elkhart County, a son of Lloyd and Betty (Gembreling) Cloud. Dale graduated from Elkhart High School. He was employed in construction doing home remodeling. Dale was a member of the Cass County Conservation Club and enjoyed hunting …

A longtime St. Joseph County resident with deep involvement in local government has announced his candidacy for the 59th House District seat. Allen Balog, former mayor of Three Rivers and currently the longest-serving member of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners, announced Tuesday he will seek the state post held by term-limited Aaron Miller. Balog, 63, said he has …

St. Joseph County Clerk Lindsay Oswald issued a media release Monday, explaining a situation involving presidential primary ballots in Florence Township. Oswald said the ballots were delivered Jan. 21 to Florence Township Clerk Allissa Bowers at her residence, which is her official office because of its accessibility to the Internet. The county clerk’s office was notified Jan. 29 that the …

On the heels of two ceremonies last Friday, St. Joseph County’s 11-year sheriff Brad Balk was recognized by members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners, who approved a proclamation in his honor during their meeting Tuesday. Read by longtime friend and board chairman Dennis Allen, the proclamation cited Balk’s start as a road patrol deputy – Allen paused …

A Fabius Township storage facility was burglarized within the past week. Sheriff’s deputies were called to the 14000 block of M-60 in response to a breaking-and-entering situation. Investigators found that the suspects forced entry to the facility as well as several storage units. The incident occurred between Friday last week and Monday this week.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recently awarded 20 Rural Development Fund Grants statewide, including one to a community in St. Joseph County. The grants are designed to promote the sustainability of land-based industries and support infrastructure that benefits rural communities. MDARD Director Gary McDowell said funds will be helping to develop or support everything from infrastructure and …

Three Rivers Community Schools was the third district in the county over the past two weeks to call off classes for at least a day due to a larger-than-usual number of student absences due to illness. Superintendent Ron Moag said the decision to close Monday was based on the inordinate number of absences last week. Specifically, students as well as …