St Joseph County

St. Joseph County Road Commission has announced seasonal weight and speed restrictions on roads under the agency’s jurisdiction are in effect starting today. The so-called “frost law” is in place to help maintain the integrity of county roads that are especially vulnerable during the springtime freeze-thaw cycle. The weight and speed laws are not imposed on all-weather or Class A …

St. Joseph County Sheriff Chad Spence said Animal Control Division is temporarily adjusting its walk-in services to better accommodate ongoing facility improvements. Effective immediately, Animal Control will be open for walk-in assistance on a limited basis. Spence said hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until further notice. The facility is closed for lunch from noon …

Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek, the Housing Assessment and Resource Agency for St. Joseph County, will conduct the annual Point-in-Time Count later this month. The annual event aims to identify and survey individuals and families experiencing homelessness in St. Joseph County. The PIT Count is a nationwide initiative mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Event organizers …

St. Joseph County Human Services Commission is compiling a list of area locations planning to serve Christmas Day meals next week. So far, the list is comprised of: Constantine American Legion from noon to 2 p.m.; Sturgis Eagles 1 to 3 o’clock; and Three Rivers United Methodist Church from 3 to 4:30. Meanwhile, Three Rivers Community Kitchen will serve a …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week approved its budget for 2025. Finance Director Angie Steinman presented a budget of $51.8 million. The General Fund budget totals $22.6 million and requires a tax levy of 4.5162 mills – the maximum allowable under the application of the Headlee Rollback. Steinman said revenues projected for the 2025 are the result …

The St. Joseph County United Way is hoping to deliver gifts to 150 homes in St. Joseph County in advance of Christmas. The Centreville-based agency is accepting toy donations to help meet the challenge. Donations of toys and cash will be delivered to low-income families, and families with children who may not have any other Christmas presents to open Dec. …

St. Joseph County sheriff candidate Chad Spence picked up an early lead in voting totals Tuesday and hung on to top four opponents to claim the highest elected law-enforcement position in the county. Unofficial vote totals show the 50-year-old Spence collected more than 49 percent of all votes, besting runner-up Jason Bingaman. The current undersheriff, Bingaman received nearly 30 percent …

A challenger to incumbent St. Joseph County Prosecutor David Marvin prevailed during Tuesday’s primary election. Colon resident Deb Davis, who previously worked as an assistant prosecutor, earned more than 56 percent of all votes cast, while Marvin was endorsed by nearly 31 percent of the votes made in the three-person race. Davis will assume the four-year post Jan. 1 and …

Jeff Wenzel will return for a fifth term as St. Joseph County Drain Commissioner, as he fended off a challenger during Tuesday’s primary election. Wenzel fell behind early but picked up much-needed votes in the final hours of voting to defeat Josh Harter. Wenzel captured 5,282 votes, beating Harker by just 179 votes. Wenzel, a Lake Templene resident, has secured …

Two millage-renewal requests sought by two county agencies were passed by St. Joseph County voters Tuesday. The St. Joseph County Road Commission was successful in its request for a 10-year renewal of 1 mill to maintain $2.5 million annually. The road millage has been in place since 1994 and a renewal request has passed every decade since. Nearly a quarter …