St Joseph County

A Jackson County judge Monday dismissed a series of claims, filed by the board that oversees the County Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County, against the county commission. During an hour-long hearing in Jackson County Circuit Court, Judge Robert LaFlamme granted a motion for summary disposition. The move essentially means a victory for the county …

Officials from the utility Indiana Michigan Power said public access to a popular fishing area in Mottville Township will be restricted until next year. Company spokeswoman Erica Putt said the tail-water fishing area on the west side of the St. Joseph River – accessible off North River Road – will be closed temporarily starting today for substation construction. The area …

A Marcellus woman was injured over the weekend after she swerved the car she was driving to avoid striking a deer in the roadway. Cass County Sheriff Joe Underwood said Tina Rosen, 43, was driving on McKenzie Street near Lawrence Road in Volinia Township at 7:35 a.m. Sunday when she lost control of her vehicle. The car rolled over after …

A public hearing on the county’s 2016 fiscal-year budget highlights this afternoon’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting. Also on the agenda is the annual report from the Economic Development Corporation, and discussion and possible action regarding a labor agreement with the correction’s sergeant’s division of the Fraternal Order of Police. The meeting starts at 5 o’clock in the …

St. Joseph County’s nine public school districts will share a rebate in excess of $230,000 of 2014-15 unspent special-education reserves. St. Joseph County Intermediate School District, overseer of the county’s special education services for qualified people up to age 26, will pay the districts in three installments, according to superintendent Barb Marshall. The first payment was scheduled to take place …

Changes in school start times and bus routes are prompting a new traffic order for bus-loading and student pick-ups at Congress School in Sturgis. As a result, members of the Sturgis City Commission have approved a new traffic-control order that moves the school-bus loading zone from Walker Avenue to East Congress Street. Consequently, all remaining student pick-ups will occur on …

Members of the Three Rivers Water Festival Planning Committee are inviting anyone interested in helping organize the 2016 event to a special meeting this evening. The 60th annual community festival takes place June 16, 17 and 18, and event organizers are seeking input regarding ideas for a theme, activities and entertainment. Today’s meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Three …

Three Rivers Health Board of Trustees reported a net income of more than $145,000 for October and net income in excess of $314,000 for the year to date. The financial update was provided during the hospital’s recent board meeting. In addition, preparation continues for the 2016 operating and capital budgets, and the Studer Groups Leadership Evaluation Manager program continues on …

Sturgis city commissioners this month approved an agreement to sell electric power generated by the city’s diesel plant. Putting that power into the regional electric grid will generate an estimated $400,000 in payments to the city, municipal officials said. Commissioners also clarified and expanded language in a downtown business district zoning ordinance to allow for limited-purpose fencing. Masonry walls will …

Construction of the new Sturgis senior center is on track for an early-March move-in, according to St. Joseph County Commission On Aging officials. Furthermore, COA officials said there may be a buyer for the current Paul Cassault Center, the longtime Sturgis home of south-county senior services. Lynn Coursey, COA executive director, said the new site under construction on North Franks …