County Information

Southern Michigan Bank and Trust officials said it has not detected a data breach following an incident during which a laptop containing client information was stolen. Bank chairman John Castle said the laptop was stolen from an employee’s vehicle April 10. It is password protected and an internal investigation has found the computer has not been accessed. Its contents include …

St. Joseph County officials have agreed to provide financial assistance to help with a project at a local cemetery. During Tuesday’s county commission meeting, administrator Pat Yoder said the county was asked by the Sturgis chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to provide $2,200, to match like financial commitments offered by Nottawa Township and the village of Centreville. …

A seven-year teacher at Hoppin Elementary was named the recipient of the annual Three Rivers Rotary Club’s “Educator of the Year.” Danielle Bent was announced as the award winner last week. Committee members said Bent’s recognition was based on a number of factors, including her continuous encouragement to respect and be kind to others. As an example, committee members noted …

An independent contractor agreement was reached Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. County administrator Pat Yoder said the agreement with Constantine Fire Chief Mike Haydon is an annual arrangement through the county’s Local Emergency Planning Committee. Yoder said Haydon has been hired the past six years to review plans for businesses that meet or exceed certain thresholds …

Business related to parks and recreation accounted for a large portion of Tuesday’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting. In all, five separate matters were fielded and ultimately approved by the commission. Most noteworthy was a proposal from Jones Petrie Rafinski for design services work at Covered Bridge Farm Park, the newest addition to the county’s parks inventory. The …

A Mendon-area woman was recognized Tuesday for her devotion to the county’s animal shelter. Lauralee Knepper, 72, was unaware her contributions to the shelter would be the focus of a resolution passed by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Not until after a lengthy introduction did Knepper realize the resolution was in her honor. A misty-eyed Knepper listened as …

St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department investigators are continuing to look into the theft of numerous items from a shed and its vicinity last month in Burr Oak Township. According to a department media release, items taken include hand and power tools, a plasma cutting torch, a battery charger, a router and router table, and an undisclosed quantity of plywood. The …

After serving 10 years on the St. Joseph County Intermediate School District Board, president Sally Boeschenstein is resigning. Boeschenstein said her resignation will be in effect June 30. A Three Rivers-area resident, Boeschenstein said she and her husband are planning more travel next year and she said it is unfair to the board to hold the position. Filling Boeschenstein’s position …

St. Joseph County sheriff’s officials responded to a hit-and-run, property-damage incident over the weekend in Lockport Township. According to a department media release, a 2006 Chevy Impala was parked at the Sturgis Dam, as its owner was fishing in the St. Joseph River. The car’s owner told police he noticed the rear bumper of his vehicle had been torn off. …

At least three vehicles were illegally entered and various items removed over the weekend in Fawn River Township. State police were called Saturday to Rickey and Eisenhower roads, where the victims said their unlocked vehicles were entered and a variety of items were taken. During their investigation, troopers found various tools and other items in the vicinity. Troopers said they …