County Information

A native of Berrien County has been hired to replace Joni Smith as St. Joseph County’s finance director. Ryan Post was hired in June and started the job July 10. Smith, who accepted a municipal job in South Carolina to be closer to her two children and grandchildren, worked with Post for a day before her final day in late …

The driver of a motorcycle operating at a high rate of speed died Thursday after failing to stop for police. According to the Three Rivers Police Department, officers noticed the motorcycle on South Main Street near West Michigan Avenue, where its driver failed to obey a traffic-control device. Officers pursued the motorcycle on South Main Street until it turned north …

A two-month investigation led to drug-related charges against four people this week. Members of the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit made the arrests late Tuesday following the execution of a search warrant at a residence in the 300 block of West West Street in Sturgis. Police said investigators discovered a considerable amount of heroin, methamphetamine and items used to …

State police are investigating an incident related to discharge of a firearm this week in Nottawa Township. According to a department media release, the front passenger-side window of a vehicle was shot between 4 p.m. Tuesday and 4 p.m. Wednesday outside a residence in the 61000 block of Klinger Lake Road. Nobody was home at the time of the incident …

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 …