County Information

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 …

The annual Sturgis Fest community celebration is offering Family Night this evening. The free event takes place 5 to 8:30 p.m. at Franks Park, where attractions such as kids’ carnival games, food and a vintage baseball game will be offered. In addition, a dog contest with prizes awarded in 11 categories takes place at 5:45 p.m. The vintage baseball game …

A 28-year-old White Pigeon man was charged with a number of offenses after fleeing in his vehicle from police and engaging in a high-speed chase. State police said an attempt to stop the vehicle for speeding and a moving violation was made near the intersection of Blue School and Dickinson roads around 2:50 a.m. Saturday. The driver refused to stop …

Two Niles residents were hospitalized after the motorcycle on which they were riding was struck by a vehicle over the weekend in Flowerfield Township. Sheriff’s department deputies were called around 4:30 p.m. Sunday to M-216 near Creglow Road, where the motorcycle being ridden by Thomas and Vickie Spain, both 52, was struck by a Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Jeep was …

Organizers behind next month’s seventh annual Lt. Edds Memorial Classic would like to remind prospective participants that the deadline for early registration and a guarantee to receive a T-shirt is coming up next week. The event – a one-mile fun run, one-mile walk, 5K walk and 5K run with chip timing – takes place July 16 in White Pigeon. The …

Saturday’s cleanup of a 2 1/2-mile stretch of the St. Joseph River netted about 100 pounds of debris, event organizers estimated. Sponsored by the St. Joseph County Conservation District, the cleanup was the first of six efforts the agency is staging this summer. Saturday’s event drew 18 people and started at South Railroad Street in Mendon. It concluded at River …