County Information

A rare ceremony will take place Friday at the St. Joseph County Courthouse, where a dual swearing-in ceremony will take place for the incoming judges of probate and district courts. The 2 p.m. ceremony will feature traditional pomp and circumstance typically accompanying the swearing-in of new judges. On Jan. 1, David Tomlinson will begin his six-year tenure as probate judge …

The Sturgis City Commission last week adopted the focus areas and goals for Sturgis 2022. The two focus areas – A Great Place to Do Business and A Community of Choice – have nine total goals which cover many of the areas presented during our feedback process this summer. Among those goals are declarations such as Sturgis will be: A …

A Cass County woman was listed in serious condition after she was struck by a vehicle driven by a Constantine resident Monday. According to the Cass County Sheriff’s Department, 42-year-old Lori Wilkes was injured following the incident on U.S. 12 near Union Road, east of Edwardsburg. The report said Wilkes was walking in the roadway when she was struck by …

Local organizations supporting arts and cultural events in Sturgis could benefit from a so-called “round-up” program being mulled by municipal officials. Discussed in 2011 and raised again earlier this month, the round-up idea would give Sturgis residents the option of increasing to the nearest dollar their future utility bills. The difference between the bill’s balance and nearest dollar would benefit …

More than 200 families in and around Three Rivers benefitted from an annual Lions Club event Saturday. Food baskets and toys were sorted, packaged and delivered to families serviced by the county’s Department of Human Services, which provided names and family-member information about prospective recipients. Three Rivers Lions Club members and other volunteers, including the Three Rivers Lady Cats varsity …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department was called to an incient last week after someone attempted to steal an automatic-teller machine. According to a department media release, someone broke into the Stop and Go truck stop around 1 a.m. Friday and attempted to steal the machine. The business is located in the 11000 block of U.S. 12 in Mottville Township. …

Three members of the St. Joseph County Planning Commission, whose terms expire at the end of the year, were reappointed to three-year terms. The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week agreed to reappoint Edward Bell of Colon, Lon Huffman of Mendon and Dennis Wilson of Sturgis. In a separate matter, Three Rivers resident Douglas Lockwood was reappointed to …

Members of the White Pigeon Community Schools Board of Education last week hired Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. as the district’s construction manager for projects funded by the five-year, 3-mill sinking fund renewed by voters in May. Superintendent Ron Drzewicki  said it’s estimated that the sinking fund will generate approximately $1 million of revenue per year for the projects over the five-year span. …

A Three Rivers-based construction company was chosen to serve as contractor of the city’s downtown Mural Mall renovation. Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners last week approved a $776,000 bid for Brussee/Brady Inc. to perform the task that will include concrete and lighting work. Funding for the project comes from a city contribution of $190,000, being complemented by a $750,000 state …

St. Joseph County and MSU Extension Services have reached an agreement for the 2013 calendar year. The base agreement will allow the county access to the full range of the extension’s statewide programs. For 2013, the county’s agreement with the extension office is $130,000, which was approved last week by the county’s board of commissioners. Payment is to be made …