County Information

Sunday’s opening day of the 164th St. Joseph County Grange Fair was met with strong attendance, fair officials said. Though daily attendance figures are not released until the end of the week, fair officials said ideal weather and the novelty of opening day were factors in the strong attendance. In addition, the farm-truck pulls drew a large and supportive crowd …

Sturgis city manager Mike Hughes is one of five finalists for the job of city manager in Portage. The 40-year-old Hughes will interview Thursday morning during a 90-minute session with an interview team and the public. Hughes, who has served as the top administrator in Sturgis since 2005, has been the recipient of high praise from the Sturgis City Commission. …

A Cassopolis woman was arraigned last week on charges related to a fire she allegedly set at the Three Rivers Walmart earlier this summer. Fawn Mott, 30, was charged with third-degree arson in connection with the June 23 fire that forced the store to close for two days. She was arraigned in St. Joseph County District Court Friday. Bond was …

The Sturgis Police Department wishes to alert the public that residents have been receiving phone calls from individuals posing as a representative from the Internal Revenue Service. The phone calls are scams and an attempt to obtain personal information. The suspects use the threat of jail time if they do not cooperate and provide information relating to a Social Security …

A St. Joseph County judge has revoked bond for Mark Holst, who was arrested last week on methamphetamine-related charges. Early Tuesday, St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman revoked the bond on two charges leveled against Holst in June, citing issues of public safety. Holst, 50, of White Pigeon, had been out on bond from the June charges; he …

Sunday marks the start of the 164th St. Joseph County Grange Fair, and it has been declared Family Day. The roster for opening day includes mule and pony pulls, 4-H horse and rabbit shows, live music and farm truck pulls at 4 o’clock. The 4-H dog show takes place at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and the 4-H poultry show later in …

Three Rivers police said they have positively identified the woman responsible for starting a fire at Walmart earlier in the summer June. Though the woman’s name was not disclosed, police said they know who she is and are in the process of finding her for questioning related to the June 23 fire that forced the Three Rivers store to close …

The St. Joseph County United Way benefitted from a three-hour roof-sit event Wednesday staged by Sturgis Hospital. Due to inclement weather, however, the fourth annual event was modified; would-be sitters instead assembled in the Sturgis Woman’s Center made phone calls soliciting donations. Their effort netted more than $22,000 in pledges.

State police have released the name of an Indiana woman charged with drug-related offenses following a one-car accident earlier this week. Katie Ann Shepherd, 20, of Shipshewana, was a passenger in a car involved in an accident around 10:45 p.m. Tuesday on Featherstone Road, near Burgener Road. Troopers investigating the incident found her to be allegedly in possession of methamphetamine, …

State police on Tuesday arrested an Indiana woman for a number of drug-related offenses following a single-vehicle accident in Florence Township. According to a media release, the 19-year-old woman was a passenger in a car involved in an accident around 10:45 p.m. on Featherstone Road, near Burgener Road. Troopers investigating the incident found methamphetamine, marijuana and a Schedule 4 drug …