County Information

Charges of embezzlement against Fr. Richard Fritz have been dismissed in St. Joseph County Circuit Court. Fritz was accused of stealing more than $100,000 from Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo while serving as pastor for St. Mary’s in Bronson and St. Barbara’s in Colon. St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough would not comment on his decision to request charges be dismissed …

Following up on a matter raised July 18, Mendon-area resident Norma Switalski asked St. Joseph County commissioners Tuesday again for their support against a proposed solar farm. She was one of half a dozen residents from Mendon and Nottawa townships who addressed commissioners two weeks ago about the potential development. A Minnesota-based company over the past few years has acquired …

A fundraiser to help with costs of constructing a house for U.S. veterans injured in combat will take place this weekend in Park Township. The eighth annual Homes For Our Troops hog roast fundraiser will be 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday at Jim and Peggy Fassett’s farm, 54010 Parkville Road. Peggy Fassett said the recipient of this year’s event is …

Constantine village officials are investigating a residence found to be grossly out of compliance with the International Property Management Code. Code enforcement Officer Mike Haydon during last month’s village council meeting said the residence in question is at 680 White Pigeon Road. Haydon said he has attempted to contact owners but without success. After securing an administrative search warrant, Haydon and …

The fifth of seven river-cleanup events of 2017 takes place Saturday in Sherman and Nottawa townships. The St. Joseph County Conservation District is seeking volunteers to assist with the task. It is asking prospective volunteers to register in advance so an accurate number of kayaks, canoes and lunches can be reserved. Saturday’s cleanup will focus on a stretch of the …

State Rep. Aaron Miller has called for Congressional action regarding the need for a new lock at the Soo Locks facility in Sault Ste. Marie. The call from Miller follows a July 18 tour hosted by state Rep. Lee Chatfield, of Levering, and state Sen. Wayne Schmidt, of Traverse City. The tour, which included legislators and other government officials, provided …

State police are investigating the theft of a four-wheel ATV from Mottville Township. According to a department media release, troopers were dispatched to the 71000 block of U.S. 131 at noon Saturday. The victim told authorities the vehicle was taken between 7 p.m. Friday and 5:45 a.m. Saturday from the front yard of the property. The ATV is a red …

Students wishing to attend Glen Oaks Community College in the fall have an opportunity to enhance their English and math skills prior to the start of the semester. The Summer Bridge program, designed to better prepare students for Accuplacer testing and subsequent college coursework, is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 8-10 and 15-17. Students will take the …

Registration for the use of golf carts in Constantine was delayed because stickers to validate registration were not received by July 6, the date the ordinance was to take effect. During last month’s village council meeting, village manager Mark Honeysett said the stickers were received July 10 and he has since issued four permits. The ordinance, which requires a $ …

June’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was one-tenth of a percent lower than the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s 3.8 percent June unemployment rate marked a decrease from May’s 3.9 percent. St. Joseph County was below the state unemployment average, which was 4 percent in June. …