County Information

Focusing on the state of the agency, and its many road, bridge and maintenance projects, St. Joseph County Road Commission Managing Director John Lindsey provided annual reports from 2019 and 2020 Tuesday before the county board of commissioners. Highlights from 2019 included upgrading a one-mile stretch of Constantine Road from Mintdale to Featherstone roads on the border of Constantine and …

St. Joseph County officials appear ready to discontinue the format of virtual meetings. During their executive committee meeting last week, commissioners agreed to not renew the state of emergency that allows them to meet virtually only. The declaration is set to expire July 5. While commissioners have been using a hybrid format – in-person and via Zoom – for their …

A fundraising effort is underway to purchase automated CPR machines for all EMS departments in St. Joseph County. Spearheaded by Jeff Brazo, a member of the Burr Oak Community Fire and Rescue Board, the fundraiser goal is $200,000 by Sept. 1. Brazo said automatic CPR machines can aid responders in performing consistent and effective CPR with fewer staff on site …

The St. Joseph County Human Resources Commission has released an updated list of “free stores” in the area. There are five locations in and around St. Joseph County. In Athens, the Pass It Forward Shop is on Factoryville Road, though it is closed for the summer. Meanwhile, in St. Joseph County, the Centreville Free Store – Building Hope – is …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners discussed a few matters of note Tuesday. Chairman Dennis Allen said the county’s Commission on Aging is hosting karaoke at its Sturgis location 5 to 8 p.m. Monday. The Three Rivers site will host karaoke from 5 to 8 p.m. June 29. In addition, commissioner Ken Malone said the county’s parks …

A unique training opportunity later this month in St. Joseph County will combine air and ground emergency responders for a mock, multi-vehicle, crash-response simulation. The exercise will involve a multi-vehicle crash, with a responding helicopter for getting patients to definitive care as quickly as possible. In addition to West Michigan Air Care, participating fire departments will be Three Rivers, Centreville …

St. Joseph County received the first installment of its American Rescue Plan allocation Tuesday. County finance director Angie Steinman informed commissioners during their meeting Tuesday that the amount totaled $5.9 million. County officials have been told to expect a total of nearly $12 million. Steinman said she will await direction from county treasurer Kathy Humphreys to decide in which fund …

A few minor details were resolved during Tuesday’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting. A motion to approve what is labeled the L-4029 millage request was approved. The measure was necessary because it allows the county to levy the full 7.8575 mills to which it is entitled in order to collect property taxes. Equalization director Josh Simmons said the …

A St. Joseph County resident won the top prize in a $5 scratch-off game from the Michigan State Lottery. The 52-year-old-winner, who chose to remain anonymous, purchased the “Mystery Prize Cashword” ticket at Hoffman Street Grocery in Three Rivers. By matching 10 words in the game, the man won $300,000. He said the store clerk recommended the game, as it …

Vaccination level in St. Joseph County reached 40 percent last week. Meanwhile, in Branch and Hillsdale counties, the number of eligible recipients remains below 40 percent. The percentage of eligible residents vaccinated by May 24 was 40 for St. Joseph County, 39.7 for Branch County and 36.2 in Hillsdale County. St. Joseph County experienced the greatest increase in vaccinations over …