County Information

The Black Pine Animal Sanctuary, where a pair of exotic animals removed last month from a Mottville Township residence is receiving medical treatment, has provided an update on the condition of the animals it took in. A monkey is in quarantine. At the time of its removal, it weighed less than 10 pounds, was emaciated and dehydrated, and deprived of …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department has fielded a number of reports from residents complaining of telephone calls claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service. Sheriff Balk said the IRS does not conduct business by telephone. He encourages people to do the following if they receive such phone calls: Record the employee’s name, return-call number and caller ID if …

County commissioners appear deadlocked on whether to move forward with a marketing plan to encourage Chicago and its suburban residents to consider making St. Joseph County a vacation and, potentially, a permanent destination. The issue was discussed during Tuesday’s work session involving the five-member commission. As part of its goal to promote its 150 miles of rivers, the county has …

Representatives from Glen Oaks Community College and the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department conducted an emergency-preparedness drill Tuesday. School officials said the drill was staged to provide college employees, and local and state police agencies a chance to practice responding to an active shooter incident on campus. Participants from public-safety and medical-response agencies in the county also had a role …

Volunteers from Refurbished Pets of Southern Michigan coordinated a dog food distribution that netted about 22,000 pounds of food last month in Sturgis. The food was provided through a cooperative effort with Paws Illinois NFP, based in Bridgeview, Ill. NFP has partnered with Natural Balance Pet Foods to support shelters and rescue groups with pets in need of quality, low-price …

Hoppin Elementary School Principal John Klein announced Monday he is resigning immediately in order to tend to his health. District officials said Klein discussed the situation during Monday’s board of education meeting. Klein, who is in his fifth year as principal at the Three Rivers elementary school, spoke highly of its staff and the district’s administrators, and said he agonized …

Driving too fast for conditions was determined to be a factor in a two-vehicle crash last week in Cass County’s Newburg Township. Sheriff Joe Underwood said deputies were called shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday to the intersection of Lewis Lake and Brownsville roads. Investigators concluded a car driven by 22-year-old Elkhart resident Christine Rossi was driving south on Lewis Lake …

The Sturgis Area and Three Rivers Area chambers of commerce will be hosting a presentation about a trip to Italy they are sponsoring later this year. The trip to Pompeii and Amalfi will take place Oct. 20-27 and cost $2,650 if booked by March 15. The informational presentation takes place at 5:30 tonight at the Dresser Business Center at Glen …

Officials from Glen Oaks Community College said the school experienced an enrollment increase for the second straight semester, representing a 16.8 percent jump over the 2015 winter semester, and an actual increase over the 2015 fall semester. President David Devier said the student increase is a testament to the hard work faculty and staff have put into the college’s marketing …

Alcohol is being cited as a factor that contributed to a one-vehicle crash Sunday night in Mottville Township. State police said a 25-year-old Goshen man was driving west on U.S. 12 when he lost control of his pickup. The vehicle struck a curb, lost a wheel and struck Jaywalker’s restaurant at the intersection of M-103. The vehicle then rolled over, …