County Information

Members of the Fabius and Park townships fire boards have agreed to fund a second-shift staff member. The boards agreed earlier this month to man its station from 3 to 11 p.m. in hopes of reducing response times. The cost is expected to be shy of $40,000, but officials from both townships noted several money-saving steps undertaken by the fire …

The village of Centreville is expected to have its own police department in place starting in mid-February. Village officials  have voted to not renew a contract with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department and will instead oversee its own law-enforcement agency. The county had been providing police coverage since the 1990s, but Centreville village officials agreed it would be cheaper …

The Coldwater Post of the Michigan State Police will soon have a new canine unit on staff. Trooper Jereme Miller and his German shepherd, Dakota, will begin their service after the new year. The Coldwater post services the White Pigeon detachment. Miller and Dakota are one of 49 canine teams with the state police. They recently completed a 14-week training …

St. Joseph County Commissioner Robin Baker said he has been attending township meetings within his district and has been asked about contracting for additional police coverage. During the commission’s committee of the whole meeting Dec. 13, Baker said township officials within his jurisdiction continue to have discussions about the matter. Baker said he is being asked if the sheriff’s department …

Establishment of a revolving-loan fund and the hiring of a new administrator were two major accomplishments by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this year, its chairman said. John Dobberteen, a Sturgis resident completing his 15th year as a commissioner, said 2013 was a step forward for St. Joseph County government thanks to the creation of the fund and …

Members of the Marine Corps League 1401 of St. Joseph County said the Sturgis distribution of toys by the Salvation Army was a success. The event began Wednesday at the Sturgis Armory and included toys picked up from Toys for Tots. The local Salvation Army leader for the event said 300 families with 700 children collectively were helped by the …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners has agreed to renew its funding to continue its partnership with MSU Extension for 2014. During last week’s county commission meeting, commissioners agreed to allocate nearly $133,000 for the service. The funding covers salaries and services provided by one full-time and three part-time employees. In addition, the county will continue to provide telephone services …

The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging wishes to remind residents that a survey geared toward the population in the northern region of the county has gone live. As a way to gauge feedback from residents 55 years of age and older, the agency has produced 20,000 copies of the survey. The questionnaires may be found in government buildings, libraries, …

The fourth White Pigeon snowman-building event is underway. Event coordinator Shireen Cline said she is encouraging residents in the 49099 ZIP code to build as many snowmen as possible and contact her with details about the competition. Cline said with warmer weather in the forecast, now would be a good time for prospective participants to make their snowman. Prizes for …

Members of the Colon Community Schools Board of Education awoke extra early Thursday to thank its staff members. A breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage and fresh fruit was offered to the district’s staff members. Prepared by food-service director Barb Yearling and her staff, the breakfast was made to feed 110 people, though only about three quarters of that many people …