County Information

Fundraiser for CPR machines in the county

A fundraising effort is underway to purchase automated CPR machines for all EMS departments in St. Joseph County. Spearheaded by Jeff Brazo, a member of the Burr Oak Community Fire and Rescue Board, the fundraiser goal is $200,000 by Sept. 1. Brazo said automatic CPR machines can aid responders in performing consistent and effective CPR with fewer staff on site …

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Updated – List of “free stores”

The St. Joseph County Human Resources Commission has released an updated list of “free stores” in the area. There are five locations in and around St. Joseph County. In Athens, the Pass It Forward Shop is on Factoryville Road, though it is closed for the summer. Meanwhile, in St. Joseph County, the Centreville Free Store – Building Hope – is …

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Report from SJC commissioners

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners discussed a few matters of note Tuesday. Chairman Dennis Allen said the county’s Commission on Aging is hosting karaoke at its Sturgis location 5 to 8 p.m. Monday. The Three Rivers site will host karaoke from 5 to 8 p.m. June 29. In addition, commissioner Ken Malone said the county’s parks …

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Crash response simulation later this month

A unique training opportunity later this month in St. Joseph County will combine air and ground emergency responders for a mock, multi-vehicle, crash-response simulation. The exercise will involve a multi-vehicle crash, with a responding helicopter for getting patients to definitive care as quickly as possible. In addition to West Michigan Air Care, participating fire departments will be Three Rivers, Centreville …

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County receives Rescue Plan funds

St. Joseph County received the first installment of its American Rescue Plan allocation Tuesday. County finance director Angie Steinman informed commissioners during their meeting Tuesday that the amount totaled $5.9 million. County officials have been told to expect a total of nearly $12 million. Steinman said she will await direction from county treasurer Kathy Humphreys to decide in which fund …

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Update from county commissioners meeting

A few minor details were resolved during Tuesday’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting. A motion to approve what is labeled the L-4029 millage request was approved. The measure was necessary because it allows the county to levy the full 7.8575 mills to which it is entitled in order to collect property taxes. Equalization director Josh Simmons said the …

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Local man is a big Lottery winner!

A St. Joseph County resident won the top prize in a $5 scratch-off game from the Michigan State Lottery. The 52-year-old-winner, who chose to remain anonymous, purchased the “Mystery Prize Cashword” ticket at Hoffman Street Grocery in Three Rivers. By matching 10 words in the game, the man won $300,000. He said the store clerk recommended the game, as it …

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Local COVID vaccination rates

Vaccination level in St. Joseph County reached 40 percent last week. Meanwhile, in Branch and Hillsdale counties, the number of eligible recipients remains below 40 percent. The percentage of eligible residents vaccinated by May 24 was 40 for St. Joseph County, 39.7 for Branch County and 36.2 in Hillsdale County. St. Joseph County experienced the greatest increase in vaccinations over …

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Hiring request approved

St. Joseph County commissioners have approved a request from county clerk Lindsay Oswald for an exemption to the county’s hiring freeze. During Tuesday’s board meeting, commissioners gave Oswald the green light to hire a deputy clerk. Commissioners acknowledged Oswald has been short-staffed for a year and that funding to accommodate the request was included in the county’s 2021 fiscal-year budget. …

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Seedling tree sales is underway

Officials from the St. Joseph County Conservation District said the period to make an order through its annual spring seedling tree sale ends next week. Agency director Carolyn Grace said orders will be taken through April 15. Pick-up date for fruit trees is April 23; all others will be available in May. Grace said there will be a drive-thru pick-up …

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