County Information

Members of the Sturgis City Commission have approved the sale of three tax-foreclosed residential properties to Sturgis Neighborhood Program. SNP will rehabilitate and resell the properties, returning them to the tax roll. The city agreed to accept $48,000 from SNP for property at 330 W. Jerolene St.; 602 S. Clay St.; and 1002 Greenlawn. The figure is $11,600 below the …

Two support-staff members were the first victims of Colon Community Schools’ employee-reduction plan. The next wave, which could include as many as five teachers, is expected to hit when the board conducts a special meeting in early June. During Monday’s regularly scheduled board meeting, district officials agreed to layoff high school secretary Marianne Verner and elementary teacher assistant Stacy Sult. …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Chairman John Dobberteen said a trip to France earlier this month has given him a new perspective of Memorial Day. During the chairman’s report portion of last week’s meeting, Dobberteen said he has visited a number of military cemeteries through the years, but a stop at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial was unequal …

The first sign of change as a result of county clerk Pattie Bender’s impending retirement was seen last week, as Lindsay Oswald took Bender’s seat at the dais and recorded the minutes of Tuesday’s county commission meeting. Oswald will have two more opportunities to perfect the task before Bender calls it quits June 30. Oswald, a 35-year-old Lockport Township resident, …

St. Joseph County Administrator Pat Yoder this week provided an update on the commission’s search for a consultant to review financial and procedural operations at the Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County, as well as its health department. During Tuesday’s county commission meeting, Yoder said he and human resources director Teresa Doehring have reviewed three …

The Three Rivers Farmers’ Market begins next week, taking place 1 to 6 p.m. every Thursday. The market, which will run through Sept. 3, is located in Scidmore Park under the park pavilions. Products available will include fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, baked goods, craft items and beefalo. The 2015 season includes three night markets: June 11, July 9 and …

Sturgis VFW Post 1335 and the Sturgis American Legion Post 73 are looking for veterans, recently discharged and currently serving service members to join in the Sturgis Memorial Day parade Monday. Anyone interested in walking, carrying a flag or being part of the honor guard can contact Tom Reed at 260-585- 4420.

St. Joseph County and Fabius Township are entering a long-term relationship regarding road and water law-enforcement coverage. Members of the county commission this week agreed to a plan in which the sheriff’s department will continue to provide police coverage. Instead of renewing the agreement annually, however, the pact will work on a five-year cycle. The 40-hour-a-week coverage costs Fabius Township …

Colon Community Schools Board President Eric Wagner was selected Monday to represent the district at the June 1 Intermediate School District Board election. After discussing the three candidates, board members agreed to support incumbent Liz O’Dell. Also running are Sherman Greider of Leonidas and Brandon Kent of Sturgis. Wagner offered to cast the vote during the 15-minute window, as he …

Sturgis city commissioners last week reappointed incumbent planning commissioners Michael Caywood, Don Eaton and Peter Stage. The commission also appointed newcomers Jeff Mullins and Garry Allen to fill one- and two-year vacancies, respectively.