County Information

Hamilton Harley-Davidson in Sturgis is offering a special program to complement the parent company’s support of U.S. veterans. Co-owner Tom Hamilton said the Sturgis location will provide free motorcycle rental for a day to any veteran or current member of the Armed Forces. It’s the first program of its kind in the country, said Cathi Abbs, executive director of Sturgis …

Three Rivers police K-9 Hondo passed away last month at Michigan State University following a battle with cancer. Hondo had worked for the department the past five years. Officer Matt Stark, Hondo’s handler, said his companion was a happy and loyal dog. In his five years on the force, Hondo was able to help police locate several fugitives in and …

The Colon Area Chamber of Commerce has announced its 2015 Citizens of the Year are Joseph and Paige Smolarz. During their 25 years in Colon they have become deeply entrenched in the Colon community and extremely active in school and community events. Village trustee Edith Doenges said Joe is an avid supporter of the village’s police and fire departments, allowing …

St. Joseph County commissioners recently gave their approval to a request made by circuit court judge Paul Stutesman regarding an out-of-state travel notice. In a memo to commissioners, Stutesman stated he would like court administrator Kathy Griffin to attend the National Association for Court Management’s annual conference in Louisville, Ky. Two nights of lodging during the weeklong conference later this …

Speed and alcohol may have been factors in a one-vehicle crash that injured a woman Tuesday in Nottawa Township, according to the St. Joseph County Sheriff ’s Department. Deputies said Jennifer Ann Bainbridge was driving west on Cupp Road near the intersection of Walterspaugh about 1:30 p.m., when the vehicle left the road just east of Walterspaugh. The car slid …

Members of Colon Community Schools Board of Education recently took a pass on the idea of buying an ice and water dispenser as an income-generating concept. During discussion of the issue at their June school board meeting, district officials agreed that under different circumstances and in more prosperous times, the proposal might receive more serious consideration. Board members agreed that …

The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging board has asked county commissioners to reappoint Dawn Everett, Allen Balog, Jim MacTavish, Chuck Thompson and Barb Fisher to new two-year COA board terms. In a related matter, trustees re-appointed officers including Margaret Shultz, chairman; Jon Withers, vice chairman; Charles Willer, treasurer; and Thompson as secretary.

White Pigeon officials have announced the village’s citizens of the year are the Rev. Wilbur Brandli and wife, Gloria. The couple arrived in White Pigeon in November 1968, coming from Paterson, N.J. In their early days in White Pigeon, the couple took on the challenge of a small church ministry along with their son, Tim, and their daughter, Gail. The …

The annual Palmer Lake Flotilla will begin at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Palmer Lake launch just off Burr Oak Road. The rain date is noon Sunday. This year’s theme is “Cartoons and Comic Strips.” Participants will decorate their boats with inspiration from popular cartoons or comic strips. Trophies will be awarded for first, second and third places, with a …

Conceding she has big shoes to fill, Lindsay Oswald on Tuesday was sworn in as St. Joseph County’s 29th county clerk. The 35-year-old Lockport Township resident succeeds Pattie Bender, who retired Tuesday after a 45-year career with St. Joseph County. Oswald was hired in 2013 to serve as the county’s grant writer. She was a 10-year employee for the city …