A Vandalia woman was injured this week after swerving her vehicle to avoid striking a deer in Cass County’s Howard Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said Joyce Kocher, 33, was driving west on M-60 when the deer appeared in the roadway. She drove off the road and her vehicle struck a tree, authorities said. The incident occurred just west of Burn …

St. Joseph County officials last week approved the 2019 Indigent Defense Agreement. County administrator Teresa Doehring said the agreement represents a 2 percent increase compared to the 2018 agreement. The county’s allocation for the agreement is $567,528. Doehring said the caseload of indigent clients averages about 25 weekly. According to terms of the seven-page agreement, there will be the full-time …

The Three Rivers Fire Department last week unveiled the newest addition to its vehicle fleet. The Spartan 180 fire engine cost $435,000 and has the capacity to pump 1,500 gallons of water per minute, according to chief Carl Holcomb. He added that the truck can carry 750 gallons of water through its onboard tank. With the latest vehicle delivered, the …

Teresa Doehring is wrapping up her first full year as county administrator and by all indications, the five-member board of commissioners is pleased with her effort. The 44-year-old Doehring received a contract renewal and a 2 percent raise in the capacity of the county’s highest, non-elected position. Both matters were approved unanimously by county commissioners last week. A lifelong Mendon-area …

Investigators said wood-burning stoves are believed to be the source of two fires Saturday in St. Joseph County. On Saturday afternoon, firefighters were called to 70861 Sevison Road in White Pigeon Township after a report of a pole barn on fire. Authorities were told a family member could see the corner of the structure near a wood burner that was …

Centreville Public Schools and a number of its volunteers were successful in a recent attempt to “Stuff the Bus.” High school principal Chad Brady said the effort was co-organized by the high school’s Future Farmers of America students and its National Honor Society members. Brady and Centreville Elementary Principal Mark VanderKlok joined students and parent volunteers during the Dec. 8 …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District recently awarded a pair of prizes it offered during fair week. Agency director Carolyn Grace said names were collected through the week, with two drawn at the conclusion of the annual event. Katie Walters of Sturgis won a composter, an item donated by the St. Joseph County Conservation District. Meanwhile, Three Rivers resident Randy …

The column this week will not contain advice, helpful hints or personal opinions. Instead, I have decided to include things that might bring a chuckle or two. I have a collection of witty sayings and quotes, and I feel it’s time to clear some of my research folders. Church bulletins are great for passing on announcements of coming events. Here …

St. Joseph County’s board of commissioners is expected to approve a budget of nearly $18 million for its 2019 fiscal year. The preliminary budget was at the center of a public hearing during Tuesday’s final county commission meeting of the year. Officially $17,949,839, the proposed 2019 budget represents a 5 percent decrease from the county’s 2018 amended budget of nearly …

E-911 Central Dispatch will soon have a new communications tower toward the south end of the county. St. Joseph County commissioners this week approved a request from agency director Dennis Brandenburg to enter into a land-lease agreement with the St. Joseph County Conservation and Sportsman’s Club. Brandenburg said central dispatch would like to erect the tower and access drive on …