County Information

A 38-year-old New York woman suffered serious injuries in a crash earlier this week in White Pigeon Township. The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. State police said the woman was driving east on U. S. 12 near Oakwood Drive when her vehicle veered off the road and struck a tree. She had to be extricated from the vehicle and …

Up-Cycled Pets, a Three Rivers-based organization, is issuing a public appeal in hopes of generating some much-needed donations. The agency has a vision to save the less-than-perfect pets in need of fostering by reaching out to animal control in order to save animals that cannot adjust to kennel life. It has also helped dogs from families losing their homes. It …

St. Joseph County appears ready to part ways with its longtime medical examiner, John Robertson. The issue was discussed during Wednesday’s county commission executive committee meeting, where prosecutor John McDonough proposed aligning with a Kalamazoo County-based source for M.E. services. McDonough introduced Joyce deJong, medical examiner of Kalamazoo County and three other counties. She is also pathology chair and professor …

A Sherman Township official has pleaded not guilty to a charge of embezzlement of more than $1,000 but less than $20,000 from a charitable organization. Bruce Bart, 49, appeared Tuesday before St. Joseph County District Court Judge Jeff Middleton for arraignment after a notice to appear was issued by prosecutor John McDonough. According to court officials, Bart is accused of …

The Three Rivers Department of Public Services has announced the start date of its twice-a-year hydrant flushing. The flushing will begin at 11 p.m. Monday next week. DPS officials said they expect flushing to continue through May 6, with the work taking place Sundays thru Thursdays from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Due to many variables, the department is not …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency wishes to remind parents and caregivers of techniques that can help to substantially reduce the infant death rate in the three-county region and across the state. After years of significant decline, Michigan’s infant-death rate has held relatively steady since 2004, indicating that not all parents and caregivers are getting the message about safe sleep …

St. Joseph County was chosen for a pilot program through the Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards. The group was recently awarded a $4.2 million grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund to support 12 initiatives aimed at improving the quality of health for seniors. According to officials from the Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. …

The St. Joseph County Grange Fair Board met Tuesday with representatives from the county’s summer festivals to discuss details of River Country Has Talent. Fair manager Bill Johnson last month said the 2016 fair plans to showcase local talent instead of a big-name act as part of its entertainment lineup. The new approach involves a partnership with the county’s eight …

Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has received a $20,000 grant to increase testing and reporting of HIV. Prevention director Kim Wilhelm said the funds will also allow the agency to increase testing and counseling for sexually transmitted infections at each of its clinics. Wilhelm said she expects the agency to designate one day a week to provide HIV and STI …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners recently approved the submission of three grant requests to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. In all, the requests amount to more than $150,000, not including more than $100,000 county-required matching dollars. County grant writer James Hissong said the first was an appeal to the DNR’s trust fund for development of two accessible …