County Information

A proposal to change the day and time of St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners’ executive committee meetings remains in a holding pattern for at least another week. The matter was raised during the board’s meeting Tuesday. The five-member board broached the issue last week after commissioner Jared Hoffmaster said he has a work-related conflict with the second executive committee …

It appears St. Joseph County’s contract with Western Michigan University for medical examiner services will be renewed. During their executive committee meeting Wednesday, county commissioners recommended continuing their contract with Western’s medical school. County clerk Lindsay Oswald said a request for qualifications and proposals was sent through the Michigan Association of Medical Examiners, as well as to a few individuals …

A few loose ends were addressed during Wednesday’s St. Joseph County Executive Committee meeting. Commissioners recommended acceptance of a Community Corrections Grant Agreement for 2021. It is almost $114,000 and awarded through the Michigan Department of Corrections. Also, commissioners approved setting a public hearing for the county’s 2021 proposed budget. The hearing will be conducted during their meeting Tuesday. Finally, …

The issue of appointments to various boards and committees evolved into a lengthy discussion by county commissioners during their executive committee meeting Wednesday. The process of recommending appointments and re-appointments to different boards and committees was explored following an issue raised by commissioner Ken Malone, who asked why candidates are interviewed for some panels but not others. The recommendations before …

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 …