County Information

St. Joseph County Central’s Dispatch had a demanding year in 2017, marked by failures of equipment, shortage of manpower and a significant amount of overtime. Still, director Dennis Brandenburg, said the agency between 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls fielded more than 96,000 calls last year. The information was provided during a recent annual report presented to the St. Joseph County Board …

Members of the St. Joseph County Road Commission earlier this month discussed the funding the agency receives from the county. The allocation had previously been $191,000 for bridges, but is now reduced to $76,000 and designated for work on bridges and failed roads. The money will go toward the local agency portion of a state safety grant to repair on …

A Sturgis Township juvenile is suspected of stealing a lawn mower earlier this week. State police said a riding mower was stolen between 3 and 6 p.m. Monday from the vicinity of Balk Road and U.S. 12 in Sturgis Township. A woman notified central dispatch around 6 p.m. to advise authorities her son was in possession of the mower believed …

An Edwardsburg woman was injured after the car she was driving went off the roadway and struck a tree in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were notified at 11:55 a.m. Monday that a personal-injury crash had occurred on Shavehead Lake Road near M-40. Upon further investigation, authorities discovered 57-year-old Karen Pierucki, was driving westbound when the …

Glen Oaks Community College has announced the cancellation of its 2018 softball season. Low numbers and an abundance of injuries have decimated the roster, making it impossible to finish out the league season, according to athletic director Courtney Ivan. She said the Vikings did show signs of success during their nine-game spring trip in Florida. Ivan said the health and …

Three Rivers Health has announced that Anne Pearcy is its employee of the year for 2017. During its recent employee celebration, Three Rivers Health welcomed nearly 200 guests for dinner and the special-recognition ceremony honoring employees observing milestone years of service. Pearcy said she considered the accolade shocking and a huge honor. Out of 20 employees earning quarterly honors throughout …

State Rep. Aaron Miller, chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State Police, said the subcommittee has advanced a budget plan prioritizing funds to strengthen public safety throughout Michigan. The proposed budget includes a $1 million grant to help prevent sexual assaults on college campuses; $200,000 to support improved software within Michigan’s Advanced 911 system; and $5.5 million for a …

Glen Oaks Community College had a 7.3 percent increase in student headcount and a 10.1 percent increase in credit hours as enrollment numbers are finalized for the winter 2018 semester compared to a year ago. It represents an upward trend for the sixth straight semester. Glen Oaks president David Devier said the school’s overall enrollment is 1,232 students this semester. …

Employees at DuPont Pioneer and Monsanto seed-corn companies in Constantine recently held a competition to see which could collect the most items for the food pantry at Messiah Lutheran Church in Constantine. In the end, Monsanto collected the most items: 3,380 pounds versus 1,468 pounds collected by Pioneer. It is the fourth year for the competition. Food pantry director Sue Outman …

St. Joseph County’s largest school district has secured its new superintendent. Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education last week announced it plans to begin contract negotiations with Arthur Ebert. He replaces Tom Langdon, who announced last year he would be retiring at the end of March. Ebert over the past three years has served as deputy superintendent and executive director …