County Information

Enhanced security measures will likely be employed when the St. Joseph County Road Commission consolidates operations to its Centreville location. Members of the road commission board last week discussed the issue of security, stemming from an incident last month when an estimated two tons of road material was illegally taken from the Colon Township satellite barn. With plans to close …

The May unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased by two-tenths of a percent compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 3.6 percent May unemployment rate was greater than April’s 3.4 percent. However, May’s unemployment rate was 1.2 percent less than the same month one …

Apples, peaches and blueberries are all Michigan-grown fruits that can be purchased at roadside stands with help from a state agency. Through Project Fresh, mothers and children who receive WIC benefits can now pick up their coupons and use them to purchase fresh produce at participating farmer’s markets. Each qualifying participant can receive $20 in coupons that can be redeemed …

Members of the St. Joseph County Road Commission Board on Wednesday reacted to complaints registered by a Florence Township official the night before. Township supervisor Gordon Evilsizor addressed the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, continuing his campaign in support of a plan to improve Constantine Road. Evilsizor simultaneously criticized the board of commissioners for not developing a …

Glen Oaks Community College President David Devier was the recipient of high marks from the school’s board of trustees during his evaluation this week. The board evaluation included 48 questions covering six functional areas of performance. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being “significantly exceeds expectations,” Devier’s overall rating was 4.39, representing an increase over his 2015 …

St. Joseph County Commissioner Rick Shaffer this week presented a gift to his peer, commissioner John Dobberteen, in recognition of Dobberteen’s years of service. Shaffer said he is finding himself in a reflective mood as his tenure as a commissioner comes to a close at the end of the year. On that note, he said Dobberteen has been an 18-year …

Flowerfield Township has agreed to retain the services of Three Rivers Fire and Marcellus fire departments for its ambulance service. A split vote on the matter occurred during a special meeting Tuesday. Township supervisor Carroll Parmeter suggested switching the service to Pride Care based on what he said amounted to a one-year cost increase of more than 2,000 percent proposed …

St. Joseph County Commissioner Don Eaton had sharp words for a Florence Township official who complained Tuesday about the state of Constantine Road. Gordon Evilsizor, who has regularly chastised commissioners for their lack of supporting a plan to fix the balance of Constantine Road through Florence Township, repeated his concerns during the citizen-comment portion of the agenda. Eaton said it …

A White Pigeon couple was injured after the boat on which they were riding over the weekend in Berrien County exploded. According to MLive Media Group, 63-year-old Kenneth Warren and Barbara Warren, 61, were aboard a 26-foot boat at Eagle Pointe Harbor Marina near the mouth of the St. Joseph River when the engine exploded around 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Kenneth …

Officials from Indiana Michigan Power wish to advise that the company is conducting inspections of overhead and ground-level equipment in areas throughout its service territory in Michigan to help ensure the reliability and safety of equipment. I&M has contracted with Osmose Utility Services to visually examine wires and other overhead equipment. Osmose employees will also inspect ground-level equipment located in …