County Information

St. Joseph County officials are expected to approve a few amendments to their municipal loan fund process. County administrator Pat Yoder said the matter arose through discussions with various townships. One in particular is looking into the purchase of a fire truck, an expense projected to be about $500,000. The township, Yoder said, has saved $100,000 and it will likely …

A 36-year-old Sturgis man was arrested last week after he was discovered unauthorized inside an apartment unit. Sturgis police were called shortly after 1 a.m. Friday to the 200 block of North Clay Street in response to a break-in. Officers entered the unit and discovered the intruder. He was charged with second-degree home invasion, possession of methamphetamine and possession of …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency’s Board of Health released its annual “Certificates of Excellence” in food service for the year 2015. Award recipients represent food establishments that met stringent criteria to adhere to safe food-handling practices. Ninety-two tri-county food service establishments, including restaurants, bars, catering kitchens and schools, received this year’s award. In St. Joseph County, the 35 award-winners …

A 30-year-old White Pigeon man was injured in a single-vehicle accident last week in Cass County. Sheriff Joe Underwood said deputies were called at 7:45 p.m. Thursday to the intersection of U.S. 12 and Sunset Boulevard for a roll-over accident. Deputies said Thomas Defreese, was heading west on U.S. 12, when his vehicle drove off the right side of the …

State Rep. Aaron Miller has praised bipartisan passage of the House budget for the coming fiscal year, noting every school in St. Joseph and Cass counties will receive the maximum per-pupil increase in state funding. Miller, who serves as chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State Police, said all schools in the 59th House District will receive a $120 …

St. Joseph County Clerk and Register of Deeds Lindsay Oswald has forwarded a media release detailing legislation signed by Gov. Rick Snyder. The new legislation will prevent private companies from charging exorbitant fees for copies of deeds that are available from their county Register of Deeds for only $1 per page. Amy Bissell, president of the Michigan Association of Registers …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners were given an update on a master plan for the county’s newest park during Wednesday’s executive committee meeting. Suzanne Fromson, representing St. Joseph-based Edgewater Resources, reviewed a number of details related to the six-acre Covered Bridge Farm park before commissioners agreed to put the matter on their agenda for a vote …

The St. Joseph County Bar Association has announced its recipient of the organization’s 29th annual Liberty Bell Award. Spencer Price, who began working at St. Joseph County Community Mental Health in January 2008, will be honored during a ceremony next week. According to Judge Jeff Middleton, chairman of the Liberty Bell Committee, Price has become an important link between Community …

State Rep. Aaron Miller will be in Dowagiac Saturday to help recognize a member of the city’s fire department. During a ceremony at 1 p.m., Miller will take part in a tribute to James Carpenter. Carpenter has been named the department’s “Firefighter of the Year.” Miller plans to present Carpenter a state tribute for his service to the Dowagiac community.

State police are investigating reports of gunshots fired last week in White Pigeon Township. Agency officials said troopers were called around 5 p.m. April 20 to the 17000 block of Tomahawk Trail, where residents reported hearing gunshots. A second call was placed from a nearby residence reporting the same information. Troopers found that a camper and a boat had been …