St Joseph County

Sturgis proposes increased funding for police and fire

A proposed tax increase to fund additional staffing in its police and fire departments will be at the center of a Sturgis City Commission public hearing. According to a media release from director of public safety Geoff Smith, the hearing will take place at 7:30 p.m. May 9 at city hall. The proposed funding would be used to hire an …

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Miller announces office hours

State Rep. Aaron Miller has announced his monthly, in-district office hours with local residents. Emphasizing the importance of being available to the community, Miller said he enjoys the opportunity to connect with people and hear what matters most to them. Miller will hold office hours Friday at three area locations: 6 to 7:30 a.m. at Rachael’s in White Pigeon; 8 …

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I&M named an Environmental Champion

Indiana Michigan Power’s commitment to greener energy earned it the designation as a 2018 “Environmental Champion” from a study by Market Strategies International. I&M is one of just 43 utility companies in the country given the distinction. To become an Environmental Champion, a utility needs to demonstrate to customers its dedication to supporting the environment by promoting clean energy, empowering …

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Judge throws out lawsuits

Lawsuits against St. Joseph County, its board of commissioners and a pair of county officials have been thrown out by a Calhoun County judge. The legal matter was brought upon the county, the county board, former county administrator Pat Yoder and past board chairman Allen Balog by Liz O’Dell. O’Dell, former director of Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services …

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Sturgis crash sends 2 to hospital

Two people were injured in a two-car accident last week in Sturgis. Fire and police personnel were called shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday to an area of South Centerville Road in front of Applebee’s. Rescue personnel found a car laying on its side and a second vehicle leaning against it. The driver and passenger of the car on its side …

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Hydrant flushing begins

The twice-a-year hydrant flushing by the Three Rivers Department of Public Services will begin today. DPS officials said the task will take place 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. through May 18. Due to many variables, department officials are not able to determine the exact date its employees will be in each district, but the process will start in first district, …

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Centreville remembers Verne Troyer

A Centreville High School graduate is being remembered as a kind, sports-loving person who never forgot his roots in St. Joseph County. Verne Troyer, who gained worldwide fame as the character Mini-Me in the 1999 film, “The Spy Who Shagged Me,” passed away in Los Angeles over the weekend at the age of 49. He was a member of Centreville …

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Constantine Police investigate school threat

Constantine Police Department officials are continuing their investigation into a threat of violence at Constantine Middle School. Chief Mark Honeysett said a 14-year-old girl was taken into custody after it was reported that a threat involving the use of a firearm was written in marker in a bathroom stall. A search warrant was secured and the student’s White Pigeon residence …

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Multiple injuries in White Pigeon crash

A White Pigeon resident was injured in a two-vehicle accident Tuesday afternoon in White Pigeon Township. State police troopers said the incident occurred at 5:20 p.m. at the intersection of U.S. 12 and Crooked Creek Road. Investigators said a car driven by 23-year-old Anthony Rice of White Pigeon was stopped at the intersection and then proceeded northbound onto Crooked Creek …

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County will not pursue opioid lawsuit

St. Joseph County will not be included in a national lawsuit against manufacturers and distributors of opioids. During Tuesday’s meeting, a motion to approve outside counsel for opioid litigation failed after a 2-2 deadlock. Commissioner John Dobberteen was absent. The issue of a national opioid-addiction crisis has been well documented, and a number of municipalities and government entities have banded …

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