County Information

Undersheriff Jason Bingaman led an awards event last week recognizing law-enforcement across St. Joseph County. During the July 3 event, Bingaman presented “Employee of the Month” awards to deputies Brooke Bingaman, Veronica Hoggard, Devantae Jennings, Kevin Penn, Jesse Raymond, Spencer Schrader and Ethan Warren. Meanwhile, Bingaman gave lifesaving awards to Deputy Zach Radtke and White Pigeon Police Officer Matt Hanson.

Michigan Department of Transportation has announced resurfacing of nearly 20 miles of roadways will start next week.  (Week of July 8th) Agency spokesman Nick Schirripa said the work will take place in Constantine, Lockport, Park, Mendon and Nottawa Townships. The $2.5 million job includes chip-seal, fog-seal and micro-surfacing procedures. Schirripa said work zones are on U.S. 131, from Dickinson Road …

Organizers behind St. Joseph County’s monthly fresh-food distribution are issuing an appeal to the public for support to ensure continuation of the program. Cynthia Pennington said the organization urgently needs donations to continue monthly distribution of 150 fresh-food boxes, each costing $2, for a total of $300 per month. The program operates strictly on donations and its funding will be …

St. Joseph County United Way has established a catastrophic fund for the family of Olivia Wright. All proceeds donated to this specially designated fund will benefit Wright’s husband, Cameron, and daughter, Haven. Questions, concerns or donations can be directed to the Centreville-based agency at 467-9099.

There were fewer traffic crashes and alcohol-related arrests in St. Joseph County last year compared to 2022. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman provided a wealth of data to St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners during their monthly meeting Tuesday. Bingaman was in attendance to give the sheriff’s department’s 2023 annual report. According to information provided by Bingaman, there were 611 crashes in …

A thorny subject related to an alleged conflict of interest was revisited by St. Joseph County commissioners during their executive committee meeting May 14. The issue started in April, when county commissioners voted 4-3 to remove Dennis Allen from the board’s law enforcement committee. Commissioners voting for removal agreed Allen is in a position of conflict as a candidate for …

The National Weather Service has now surveyed the damage and confirms an EF2 tornado touched down in St. Joseph County on Tuesday. The survey team says the tornado touched down one mile south of Centreville at 5:41pm, and then tracked northeast, passed north of Colon, then crossed into Branch County. The tornado finally weakened and lifted three miles southwest of …

Areas of St. Joseph and Branch counties, and elsewhere in Southwest Michigan, are recovering from damage caused by a fierce storm that tore through the area late Tuesday afternoon. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman reported power outages and widespread damage, including exceptionally heavy destruction in and around portions of Nottawa, Colon, and Leonidas townships in St. Joseph County. A pole barn adjacent …

Thursday’s collection of household hazardous waste and electronics recycling was labeled “average” by event organizers. Pat Kulikowski, St. Joseph County Solid Waste Committee secretary, said the four-hour collection at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds got off to a strong start then slowed considerably around the halfway point. Initial figures show 8,000 pounds of household hazardous waste was collected, while about …

The Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce has teamed with the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce to present a St. Joseph County Political Forum. The two-night event will feature candidates for a number of local races. The first, which will start at 5 p.m. May 29th, will showcase the two contestants for drain commissioner followed by candidates for the five-person …