St Joseph County

The reward for finding who was responsible for damage at Oak Lawn Cemetery earlier this month in Sturgis has been raised to $3,000, thanks to donations from a number of area businesses. Police said the vandalism occurred between April 1 and 3. In all, 34 headstones – some dating to the 1800s – were damaged. Other damage included shots from …

Cases associated with marijuana and methamphetamine were the most common drug-related incidents handled by the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department in 2015. Led by Sheriff Brad Balk and aided largely by Captain Jason Bingaman, the department’s annual report was presented to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Tuesday. The report featured an assortment of statistics related to crime, narcotics …

Indiana Michigan Power has announced it is conducting proactive inspections of poles in areas throughout its service territory in both states. I&M has contracted with GeoForce, a company licensed and experienced in pole inspection, to visually examine the poles. In some cases, the inspection process also involves minor digging at the base of the poles and treatment of the wood, …

The Constantine board of education has approved hiring Jessica Barth as the school’s new athletic director. Barth is currently the principal at Eastside Elementary School in Constantine and succeeds longtime AD Mike Messner, who is retiring at the end of the school year. The action was taken during Monday’s school board meeting.

The sheriff’s department’s annual report tops the agenda for today’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting. Other matters appearing before the commission include an equalization report, a request from animal control for a fundraiser and four remonumentation contracts. Commissioners meet at 5 o’clock in the third-floor commissioners’ room at the county courthouse.

Florence Township Supervisor Gordon Evilsizor has stepped up his crusade in support of funding to improve the condition of Constantine Road. Evilsizor last week purchased four campaign signs and placed them at various points along the north-south route. The signs read: “Sorry! County commissioners feel it’s a bad investment to fix this rough road with your tax dollars.” He said …

Three Rivers Police Chief Tom Bringman wishes to inform local businesses about numerous, recent reports of counterfeit bills attempting to be used for payment. Bringman in a department media release said the issue has become prevalent over the past few weeks, during which retail employees have refused what appeared to be fake $100 and $20 bills. Still, Bringman reminded that …

A 74-year-old Lockport Township woman was hospitalized for shortness of breath after a vehicle driven by an alleged drunken driver crashed into her house last week. State police said troopers were dispatched around 1:30 p.m. Friday to the 18000 block of South River Road regarding a vehicle that had crashed into the side of a residence. Investigators determined a 36-year-old …

A 17-year-old Centreville girl was not injured after she ran a red light and her vehicle collided with a farm truck Wednesday in Fabius Township. State police said Hannah Griffith was driving north on U.S. 131 when she failed to stop at a red light at the Hoffman Road intersection. Her vehicle struck a truck turning north from Hoffman Road …

Members of the St. Joseph County Animal Control Advisory Board made strides Wednesday toward planning an inaugural fundraiser event set to take place next month. Pending approval from the county’s board of commissioners Tuesday, animal control board members will host the fundraiser 6 to 10 p.m. May 13 at the Sturgis Elks. Board chair Emily Frohriep said the idea of …