County Information

The St. Joseph County E-911 Central Dispatch in 2011 fielded nearly 84,000 telephone calls for police, fire and emergency medical services. During the department’s annual report last month to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners, director Jon Uribe noted the Centreville-based agency for the first time in its history fielded more calls from people using cellular phones than landline …

St. Joseph County has reached an agreement with two couples who will serve as attendants at two county parks. Ronald and Denise Franklin, and their son, will serve as attendants at Nottawa County Park Campground at Sand Lake through Labor Day weekend. The seasonal job will allow them to spend the summer at the campground and enforce campground rules and …

A neighbor who saw smoke coming from a residence in Burr Oak alerted its three occupants Tuesday afternoon, allowing the family to escape safely. Investigators said it appears the fire started in an attached garage and spread to the residence. The garage was destroyed and the house sustained heavy smoke damage. Neighbors managed to save a rabbit and two dogs, …

The Constantine Fire Department was called Tuesday to the scene of a fire at the Whispering Pines mobile home park, in the 1200 block of South Washington Street. Chief Mike Haydon said a resident called 911 around 10 p.m. after noticing smoke coming from the dryer. Moments later, flames were seen. Constantine Police Officer Steve Dibble was credited for keeping …

Motorists in Sturgis Township are being advised that the St. Joseph County Road Commission has started repairs on Shimmel Road at the railroad crossing, just north of U.S. 12. The work was slated to begin Wednesday and the crossing is projected to be closed for at least a week. Detours are in place and suggest motorists use Stubey or Klinger Lake …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners recently made clear their support for House Bill 5223, which establishes a program of substance-abuse testing as a condition of eligibility for Family Independence program assistance. The measure prohibits recipients of such aid from continuing if they test positive for substance abuse or refuse to comply to the test. Copies of …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency recently recognized Pat Swan, environmental health clerk in the Coldwater Office. Swan, who was originally hired as a receptionist, has retired after a 27-year career with the three-county agency. Agency officials said Swan wound up spending most of her career taking applications, handling questions and serving as a resource person to clients in need …

Members of the Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education have announced two new administrators joining the district. Sheryl Thorbjornsen  will replace the retiring Fred Matusik at Park Elementary. Meanwhile, Norton Elementary finally has its full-time principal, as Jennifer Graber will step in to relieve Cindy Evans, who has been serving since January as interim principal. The position came open …

The city of Sturgis is accepting nominations for its citizens of the year through Monday next week. Guidelines call for one man and one woman selected for their contributions to the city and its residents. Nominees must be residents of Sturgis for at least three years. Nominations may be dropped off at the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce. Winners will …

The Sturgis Elks has been recognized for its $900 donation to help the Sturgis Police Department set up a secured deposit box for prescription drugs and other medications. The box is set up in the lobby at the police station and is available for drop off of expired or the balance of unused medication. The box is also suitable for …