County Information

Organizers behind a recent fundraiser to help a Wisconsin man and his family have good news to share. The seventh annual “Homes for our Troops” event Aug. 6 at the Jim and Peggy Fassett residence in Park Township raised $9,600, prompting the Fassett’s to issue a public appeal for additional funds in hopes of hitting the $10,000 mark. The request …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District is seeking volunteers to assist with its fourth river cleanup event of the season this coming weekend. Saturday’s task will focus on the Portage River, from the Portage Lake Landing on Michigan Avenue in Mendon Township to Parkville Road. The event starts at 9:30 a.m. and transportation from the end point back to the …

An annual giveaway by the St. Joseph County United Way is wrapping up for another year. The agency a week ago started its “Donut Drive” as its way of thanking county residents for their continued support. During the drive, United Way volunteers will spend a total of seven weekdays distributing donuts free of charge at major intersections between 7:30 and …

A 45-year-old Schoolcraft man was pronounced dead at the scene of a one-vehicle crash last weekend in Flowerfield Township. St. Joseph County Sheriff deputies said a truck driven by Graham Gooden was southbound in the 50000 block of Chamberlain Road around 1:30 p.m. Sunday. His truck left the road at a low rate of speed and struck a tree, investigators …

A White Pigeon man was injured in a motorcycle accident Sunday evening in Fabius Township. State police said John Benson, 69, was driving east on Gleason Road around 7 p.m. when he lost control and crashed near King Road. Benson was treated on the scene and subsequently airlifted to Bronson Methodist Hospital. Investigators said Benson was not wearing a helmet; …

The Covered Bridge Healthcare facility hosted its public grand opening and a ceremonial ribbon-cutting event Friday. The agency’s dozen staff members and a number of dignitaries were on hand to take part in the fanfare for the 1,980-square-foot facility, located in Centreville just east of the sheriff’s department. The center is funded through a $990,000 annual federal grant renewed every …

A semi-tractor was reported damaged last weekend in Lockport Township. Sheriff’s deputies said a Freightliner rig was damaged between 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday morning in the 16000 block of Lovers Lane. A department media release did not indicate the nature of the damage.

An existing traffic signal at South Nottawa and Congress streets will be flashing red in all four directions after the Sturgis City Commission approved a new traffic order this month. The change initially was suggested by commissioners in 2014 as part of the design process for the second phase of the city’s reconstruction of South Nottawa Street. A 2014 traffic …

The Cass County Friend of the Court office will hold an “Amnesty Day” next week. Court officials said the bench-warrant amnesty day will be Thursday, Aug. 25, providing an opportunity to resolve a warrant without arrest. It will take place 1 to 6 p.m. at the Cass District Library. Anyone who has a warrant for their arrest because of child …

A short meeting appears to be on tap for the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this afternoon. Three items of new business will be handled by the board: downtown development authority grants will be considered for the village of Constantine and city of Sturgis, and renewal of a secondary-road-patrol grant is up for discussion. The meeting starts at 5 …