County Information

A Portage-based company was hired this week to fulfill a component toward potential construction of a Sturgis senior center. Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners agreed Tuesday to work with Cornerstone Construction Management. The company will provide services related to design, bidding and construction. Total cost of the deal is $78,000. County Administrator Pat Yoder said the …

Six people this week were recommended for re-appointment to the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging Board for two-year terms. They are: Margaret Schultz, Jon Withers, Charles Willer, Deb Leyes, Steve Boland and Jay Newman. As Leyes is a member at large, her term is for one year only. Also during action Tuesday, the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners …

A proposed infrastructure improvement at Cade Lake Park would allow it to have the benefit of a sewer system. Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners agreed Tuesday to a contract with Jones Petrie Rafinski for engineering services related to the proposal. County administrator Pat Yoder said the plan calls for expanding a sewer pipe from a Burr …

The Secretary of State office in Sturgis will close later this month for remodeling, prompting staff members to encourage anyone with business to conduct at the site to do it soon. The office will close for the workweek July 28 and remain unavailable through Aug. 1. Staff members said the South Centerville Road office will be remodeled to include a …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners has agreed to fill a vacant position in the two departments. During Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners agreed to fill a clerk’s spot in the finance department. The post is being filled half-time by a member of the Register of Deeds office. Human resources director Elishia Arver said the position will stay filled in such a …

A plan to limit access into the St. Joseph County Courthouse to a single location is moving forward. The county’s board of commissioners Tuesday agreed to work with Grand Rapids-based Landmark Design for schematic drawings and cost estimates to create the single point of entry. If the full plan is authorized, access to either the original courthouse portion or the …

St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough said justice was served Monday, as jurors in the Andy Brown murder trial issued a verdict of guilty of second-degree murder. The 37-year-old Brown was also found guilty on a charge of felony use of a firearm. Monday’s decision capped the nine-day trial in which the nine-woman, three-man jury heard testimony related to the …

Here’s a reminder that crews from the Three Rivers Department of Public Services are conducting a brush pickup. DPS officials ask that residents place brush on the terrace, not in the street,. Crews will be making only one pass to collect brush. The pick-up is for the July 1 storm damage only. The DPS offers a compost drop-off area at …

White Pigeon Days concluded its three-day run Sunday, with a community church service and picnic at Wade Park. Event organizers said Saturday night’s fireworks show was viewed by thousands of people who parked as far away as Dickinson Road to watch the display. Earlier in the evening, Constantine High School’s alumni football squad topped a White Pigeon alumni team, 14-6. …

After nearly five hours of deliberations Thursday, jurors in the Andy Brown trial will continue the process beginning at 8 a.m. today. Jurors began deliberations at 12:15 p.m., after closing arguments were heard from prosecutor John McDonough and defense attorney Michael Hills. McDonough wrapped things up with a 30-minute rebuttal to Hills’ 92 minutes of closing arguments. Circuit court judge …