County Information

Here’s a message from St. Joseph County courts: Pursuant to a local administrative order, St. Joseph County’s courts are able to conduct jury trials when the number of COVID-related cases is below a threshold set by the Michigan Supreme Court. At this time, the case count per million and the positivity rate remain too high for jury trials to be …

A former Three Rivers City Commission member will represent the municipality and two adjacent townships as St. Joseph County District 1 commissioner. Jared Hoffmaster comfortably held off Andrew George to claim the two-year seat. The position, which is being vacated by Allen Balog, also includes representation of Flowerfield and Lockport townships. Hoffmaster collected about 1,400 more votes than George. No-party-affiliation …

Members of the St. Joseph County Fair Board voted Monday to cancel the 2020 fair due to concerns about COVID-19. Board president Tom Miller called Monday’s action the most difficult vote any fair board in St. Joseph County has ever had to make. Regarding 4-H participants, fair officials plan to meet with St. Joseph County Extension Office 4-H Program Coordinator …

St. Joseph County government is temporarily closing to the public its offices in the historic courthouse as well as in its Annex 2, located east of the courthouse complex. County administrator Teresa Doehring announced Friday that the measure is in response to limiting potential exposure to the coronavirus. Departments affected by this move are county administration, county clerk and register …

A safety concern involving curves on Fawn River Road will be addressed with asphalt work, following action last week by the St. Joseph County Road Commission Board. Its members approved resolutions authorizing asphalt contracts for Fawn River Road, and Sauger Lake and Nottawa roads. On Fawn River Road, contractors will crush and shape the curves between the west and east …

The May shooting death of a woman by her 9-year-old adopted son was voted the top local news story of 2019, as selected and ranked by editorial staff members of the Sturgis Journal. The incident occurred May 6 in Fawn River Township and resulted in the death of Pauline Randol. In September, probate court judge David Tomlinson ruled the boy …

St. Joseph County Substance Abuse Task Force is preparing to launch its 2020 Meth Campaign. The annual campaign will focus on recovery, hope and community healing, and conclude with the annual “Voices of Hope and Recovery” program. Task force members will begin a public-awareness effort through a series of emails, Facebook posts, radio interviews and by display messages on St. …

A measure to designate T.K. Lawless County Park in Cass County as a dark-sky preserve was approved this week by the House Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Committee. The measure was supported by State Rep. Aaron Miller. He said there is a high demand for dark-sky preserves. The plan would create an additional location in Michigan for celestial-viewing opportunities, which …

A crowdfunding effort by the St. Joseph County Commission On Aging reached its $50,000 goal. COA director Tim Stoll said as a result of meeting its goal, the agency qualifies for a $50,000 match through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Stoll said the funds will help with development of a park at the newly opened Rivers Enrichment Center at the …

St. Joseph County Sheriff Brad Balk announced Tuesday he will retire at the end of January. Balk, 65, said his last day will be Jan. 31, 11 months before the end of his four-year elected term. Sheriff since 2009, Balk appeared before county commission members and read a one-page letter in which he stated his plans to step down. He …