County Information

The case of a lawsuit against St. Joseph County, its board of commissioners, and the panel that oversees mental-health and drug-abuse services locally will be heard in a nearby jurisdiction. Attorney Ross Chapman, representing Liz O’Dell, said St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman recused himself from the case. As a result, the matter was assigned by the state …

The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging is sponsoring two Easter Egg Hunts for area school children. The agency’s seniors donated candy and helped stuff more than 1,500 eggs between the senior centers in Three Rivers and Sturgis. In Sturgis, the hunt will take place at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday next week at the Sturgis Enrichment Center. More than 100 students from …

Two people were injured following a collision this week in Cass County’s Jefferson Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday to the intersection of M-62 and Hospital Street. Investigators found 18-year-old Brittany Backus of Edwardsburg was driving west on Brownsville Road, when she stopped at the intersection of M-62 then proceeded east onto Hospital Road. …

State Rep. Aaron Miller has announced his monthly, in-district office hours. All three locations are next week in St. Joseph County. Miller said he enjoys connecting with the people in his district and hearing what matters to them. He said it is important to be accessible to every constituent. Office hours will be 6 to 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at Yoder’s …

Three Rivers Police K-9 Jake was instrumental in apprehending a man who left Menard’s after displaying a handgun to a store employee. According to a department media release, the incident occurred around 11 a.m. Monday, when a man who was being confronted about a retail theft incident displayed a handgun to store security before fleeing the scene on foot. He …

State police are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that occurred this week in Constantine Township. Troopers were called Tuesday to the 63000 block of Constantine Road after the homeowner reported the break-in, which occurred between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Home electronics were stolen, investigators said. Details regarding how access to the residence was gained was not indicated in a department …

A small step toward the new Commission On Aging headquarters and its on-site residences was taken Tuesday by St. Joseph County’s board of commissioners. At the request of COA Director Tim Stoll, commissioners authorized the use of $10,000 from COA’s fund balance to hire a Chicago-based consultant. The firm RealtyMetrix will assist with pursuing New Market Tax Credits. Stoll said …

St. Joseph County commissioners appear to have a brief meeting before them this afternoon. The only item under new business is accepting the annual report from Central Dispatch. In a separate matter, commissioners will discuss whether to appoint Kathy Pangle, Rick Shaffer and Kay Decker to the Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Board. The meeting begins at 5 p.m. …

Cass County Sheriff’s Department deputies were dispatched over the weekend to the scene of a one-vehicle accident in Howard Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies responded shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday to a location along M-60 where a vehicle went off the roadway. Shawn Hoover, 34, of Niles was the driver and 58-year-old David Crespo, also of Niles, was a …

An out-of-state travel request for two St. Joseph County employees was granted recently by county commissioners. The circuit court and county clerk employees were approved a five-day training in Cleveland. The training would allow them to become system administrators on the ImageSoft program. The training amounted to a $6,000 cost and travel expenses were to not exceed $2,000. In an …