County Information

The St. Joseph County United Way is appealing to the public for items to be included in its 2012 annual silent auction. Staged during the St. Joseph County Grange Fair, the auction is the United Way’s largest fundraiser event annually. Kelly Hostetler, executive director of the St. Joseph County United Way, said the 2011 silent auction was a success, and …

Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said a 39-year-old White Pigeon resident was arrested Saturday following a pursuit. Sheriff’s Department officials said deputies attempted to stop the suspect for a moving violation in Three Rivers. According to a police report, the driver failed to pull over and led deputies on a pursuit through Three Rivers and into Florence …

Two county millage renewal requests and an additional renewal request in White Pigeon Township were approved during Tuesday’s primary election. The countywide votes saw the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging earn a six-year renewal of three-quarters of a mill. In addition, three-quarters of a mill renewal for six years was granted to the county E-911 central dispatch. Both renewals, …

County officials are awaiting word from County Commissioner Jerry Ware regarding a potential recount, as the Fawn River Township resident fell short in his bid for re-election by just eight votes Tuesday. In his attempt to serve what will be a new-look District 5 in January, Ware lost to Sturgis resident John Dobberteen, 395 to 387. Both are incumbents on …

The fields of judge candidates for Probate Court and District Court were narrowed to two after Tuesday’s primary election. After claiming the first and second-most votes from a field of five candidates, David Tomlinson of Colon and Christine Yancey of Mendon will square off for St. Joseph County Probate judge in November. Meanwhile, a roster of three candidates for District …

St. Joseph County Drain Commissioner Jeff Wenzel will continue to serve the elected post through 2016 after voters during Tuesday’s primary election re-elected the Lake Templene resident by almost a 2-to-1 margin. Wenzel, who is completing his first, four-year term as drain commissioner, defeated Fabius Township resident David Hassenger, who previously served as drain commissioner for eight years before he …

Five of six positions with St. Joseph County government will be uncontested in today’s primary election. The office of drain commissioner will be decided by voters, as incumbent Jeff Wenzel is being challenged by former drain commissioner David Hassenger. Wenzel, a Lake Templene resident, is completing his first, four-year term. Hassenger, who lives in Fabius Township, held the post for …

A 34-year-old Marcellus woman was sentenced to three years of probation for embezzling $17,000 from the Marcellus Fire Department. Cass County Circuit Court Judge Michael Dodge also ordered Nicole Olsen to pay restitution in the amount she stole over the course of four months starting in September 2011. Olsen was a four-year employee with the department, serving as captain and …

The 75th Abbott’s Magic Get-Together in Colon concluded Saturday, and organizers of the four-day celebration say the milestone celebration was an overwhelming success. Greg Bordner, president of Abbott’s Magic, said participants and spectators from seven countries and nearly 40 states took part in the celebration. Though the event is staged as a convention for performers in the world of magic …

St. Joseph County Administrator Judy West-Wing has announced she will be resigning in January.  The 53-year-old West-Wing presented her letter of resignation during Friday morning’s executive committee meeting of the county board. West-Wing, a Flint-area native, has been county administrator for 20 of her 30 years of employment with St. Joseph County.  West-Wing said she wishes to spend more time with …