St Joseph County

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this week made an appointment to the county’s Transportation Authority Board. During Tuesday’s meeting, Sarah Beckle was added to the CTA panel. In other action, commissioners agreed to make an exception to the county hiring freeze in anticipation of a retirement within the treasurer’s office. Deputy treasurer Mary Ives is planning to retire …

St. Joseph County Sheriff Brad Balk is seeking young men and women interested in serving in the department’s explorer program. Open to people 14 to 21 years of age, the explorer program is encouraged for people who have an interest in law enforcement as a potential career. Prospective participants must have completed eighth grade at least. More information is available …

Three bats, two in St. Joseph County and one in Branch County, have tested positive for rabies, Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency Prevention Services Director Yvonne Atwood said last week. Atwood said more than a dozen bats have been tested this year. Six bats from Hillsdale County were tested, but none came back positive for the viral disease of mammals …

St. Joseph County residents appeared to have no problem continuing to help fund the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority. By a comfortable margin Tuesday, a request to renew one-third of a mill was approved in the county-wide vote. As a result, the Three Rivers-based agency will continue to receive about $650,000 annually over the next four years. Consistent with renewal …

St. Joseph County’s former equalization director will be the Democrat opponent to face Republican incumbent Dennis Allen in the November general election. Nottawa Township resident Judy Nelson topped Tim Carls in Tuesday’s primary election. She earned 410 votes while Carls claimed 310 in what turned out to be a high-profile election for the right to represent the party in November. …

Dan Czajkowski said he still has plenty to learn despite nearly two years as a county commissioner. The 62-year-old White Pigeon resident will have another 24 months of experience to gain after voters in District 4 backed him over Republican challenger Joshua Goodrich, a Constantine Township resident. Unofficial numbers show the incumbent earned 534 votes to Goodrich’s 370 endorsements. Czajkowski …

A Texas man was arrested late Thursday after a stabbing incident at the Meijer gas station in Sturgis. Jaime Rubalcada, 25, of Harlington, was arrested on a charge of felonious assault. Sturgis police were dispatched to the location just after 11:30 p.m. Upon arrival, police noticed a man with a stab wound to his hand. He was taken to Sturgis Hospital …

Members of the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging Advisory Board agreed last week to move forward with a declaration of support to get board member Don Eaton reappointed to the board. Wednesday’s vote came a day after the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners approved five of six reappointments to the COA board, excluding Eaton. Tom Stoll, COA director, …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners agreed Tuesday to delay voting on a detachment petition tied to the development of a multi-field sports complex in Three Rivers. Commissioners discussed the issue at last week’s executive committee meeting and agreed Tuesday to pull the matter from their agenda, at the recommendation of legal counsel. The petition was filed last month …

Five people were reappointed to the St. Joseph County Commission On Aging Board during Tuesday’s county commission meeting. Returning to serve two-year terms are: Jon Withers of Florence Township, Stephen Boland of Klinger Lake, Margaret Shultz of Lockport Township and Ed Stemen of Fawn River Township. In addition, Joe Heivilin was re-appointed to the 11-member board, but his term is …