County Information

St. Joseph County is looking for a new finance director. Human Resources director Teresa Doehring during Tuesday’s county commission meeting said Joni Smith has announced her resignation. Smith, 55, said she has accepted a job as finance director for the city of Easley, S.C. Her son, daughter and two grandchildren live in the area. Smith said the opportunity to be …

St. Joseph County’s board of commissioners pledged $140,000 to Southwest Michigan First, more than four months after the agency’s contract with the county expired. Tuesday’s funding agreement ends a lengthy impasse during which county officials not only debated the merits of the economic-development benefits from Southwest Michigan First, but also at a time when they began intensifying their scrutiny on …

Three people were injured in a one-car crash around noon Monday in Lockport Township. St. Joseph County sheriff ’s deputies said a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed was heading southwest in the 20000 block of Centreville-Constantine Road, when the car went off the road, re-entered the roadway, then began to spin out of control. The vehicle crossed …

An all-terrain vehicle was stolen this week from a location in Sturgis Township. Sheriff’s department officials said the four-wheeler was taken between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday from a residence near the intersection of Haven Street and White School Road. The Honda TRX-125 is red and has a broken front-right fender covered by a gray sticker.

Three Rivers Department of Public Services Director Amy Roth said a significant street-improvement project is progressing on schedule. Work related to South Lincoln Avenue is on pace to conclude in November. Started March 13, the $1.9 million task covers an area from Broadway to Millard streets. Roth said the old pavement and gutter have been removed, thanks to the labor …

St. Joseph County United Way, with the help of the Department of Health and Human Services Board of Directors, recently awarded a grant to St. Joseph County Child Protective Services for special use. Eighty $25 and 100 $10 gift cards were given to CPS to use for children who are removed from their homes. United Way director Kelly Hostetler said the …

St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman last week denied a defense motion to dismiss criminal sexual conduct charges against a former Centreville teacher. An attorney for Terry Miller, who is charged with criminal sexual conduct, argued Friday that a number of legal delays over the past two years have violated Miller’s right to an expeditious trial. Stutesman told the …

Students representing six Michigan high schools, including a team from Colon High School, have been selected as winners of the inaugural Community Service Awards. Sponsored by the Michigan High School Athletic Association and Lake Trust Credit Union, the awards recognize students for their efforts to improve the lives of others in their communities. The “Yard Squad” is comprised of sophomores …

Centreville Public Schools Superintendent Rob Kuhlman issued a second media release regarding the cancellation of classes a second consecutive day Friday. Kuhlman said district administrators along with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department have been investigating a potential threat of violence at the high school. The investigation came after a message was submitted on the “OK 2 Say” anonymous tip …

The Michigan Department of Transportation starting today will be resurfacing 7 1/2 miles of M-66, from Lafayette Street in the city of Sturgis, to M-86 in Nottawa Township. MDOT officials said the $879,000 project includes pavement repairs, crack filling and chip sealing. Traffic will be subject to single-lane closure under flag control. The agency estimates the project will be completed …