County Information

St. Joseph County Drain Commissioner Jeff Wenzel was appointed this week to serve as the administrator of soil-erosion permits. The move taken by St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners Tuesday means the permits will no longer be the responsibility of the county’s conservation district. In addition, commissioners accepted Wenzel’s recommended revised fee for soil-erosion permits. The conservation district in November …

The filing deadline for county offices was Tuesday, and voters in St. Joseph County in August will have choices to make in at least three contests. Five candidates are vying for the post of probate judge, a position currently held by the retiring Tom Shumaker. The contestants are John Barnes, Tom Robertson, David Tomlinson, Christine Yancey and Robert Dutka. Three …

Two people were arrested by Sturgis Police Saturday after the vehicle in which they were stopped yielded a trio of one-pot meth labs. Police said the inactive labs were found in the trunk of the car, which was pulled over around 2 a.m. at an unidentified location for a moving violation. While the matter was being investigated by police, a …

Urged by a capacity crowd, St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners Tuesday agreed to place a millage renewal request before voters regarding the county’s Commission on Aging. Fifteen people addressed commissioners, asking that they consider placing a six-year renewal of three-quarters of a mill before voters in the Aug. 7 primary election. Commissioners had previously debated whether to ask for …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a request for out-of-state travel for a team of four members from the county sheriff’s department. In a memo from Captain Tim Schuler, it was explained that training provided through the National Sheriff’s Association will take place June 18-20 in Nashville, Tenn. Schuler said seminars will focus on matters including …

A Sturgis City Commission member and candidate for county treasurer has withdrawn from the race. Rob Sisson, who was expected to challenge current treasurer Judie Ratering for the four-year term in November, notified Clerk Pattie Bender of his decision earlier this week. Sisson’s move means Ratering, who was appointed earlier this year to fill the unexpired term of Phyllis Bainbridge, …

State Sen. Bruce Caswell will stage an early morning coffee hour with constituents from the 16th District this weekend. From 7 to 8 a.m. Saturday, Caswell will be at Dawn and Phil’s Café in Colon. Caswell has issued a standing invitation to anyone interested in meeting with him to discuss concerns and ideas. The restaurant is located at the northeast …

Constantine police chief Jim Bedell has been appointed acting village manager while full-time village manager Mark Honeysett recovers from a heart attack. Members of the village council last week agreed to the temporary measure, which means Bedell will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the village, as well as the law-enforcement side of the community. It was suggested a …

A longtime Centreville-area resident has committed to running for a seat to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Florence Township resident Barry Miller has filed paperwork to challenge Rick Shaffer in November for what will be the new-look Third District. Effective in 2013, the district will cover Lockport, Nottawa, Sherman and Florence townships. The 39-year-old Miller, who runs a …

Investigators from the Michigan State Police District headquarters in Paw Paw said a Sturgis man who escaped last week from a Thumb-area correctional facility was captured Thursday night. Officials said 31-year-old Darrell Stallard left a work crew Monday near the Tuscola County facility where he was incarcerated. Through previous arrangements, Stallard was given a ride to Sturgis from two accomplices. …