St Joseph County

St. Joseph County’s board of commissioners has approved an agreement with the city of Sturgis regarding a disc golf course. The contract, endorsed by commissioners Tuesday, centers on a plan to develop an 18-hole disc golf course at Cade Lake County Park in Fawn River Township. The city of Sturgis is working with the county and financially supporting the recreational …

The Exchange Club of Sturgis presented its 75th Book of Golden Deeds Award to Frank Iannarelli during a recent meeting at Sturges-Young Auditorium. The award is the highest recognition given by the Exchange Club. Iannarelli, who works at Locey CPA, is president of Sturgis Lion’s Club, advisor to the Sturgis High School Leo Club, Sherman Township clerk, president of Omena …

Students at Riverside Elementary School in Constantine raised more than $800 through a penny drive to donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The penny drive ran for five weeks, concluding in late January, and was organized by fourth-grade teacher Carolyn Niblock. She said the accomplishment shows that school is not only about education, but life skills, too. Niblock said …

St. Joseph County United Way and matching local donors recently awarded a special grant to four local schools for the purchase of Nightlocks. Nightlock is a classroom-door-lockdown mechanism that allows a teacher to immediately lock the door from inside the classroom. It is fast, easy and withstands 1,500 pounds of force. On a conventional classroom door, an intruder can break …

Sturgis City commissioners last week approved a draft of a recreation facility agreement with St. Joseph County to partner for development of a disc golf course at Cade Lake Park. The city will be responsible for the material costs for development, and the county will install and construct, then own and operate, the course. The agreement commits the city for …

St. Joseph County’s attempt to shore up its financial state resulted in just one courthouse layoff. Other positions eyed for cuts, however, were changed from full-time to part-time. In addition, another employee whose job was likely to be eliminated resigned and found work elsewhere. County administrator Teresa Doehring said the layoff and reduction in hours were part of an effort …

The eighth consecutive year of the St. Joseph County Conservation District’s River Cleanup will see more than 25 miles of waterways covered this summer. Six events beginning in June and ending in early August will await conservation district employees and what director Carolyn Grace hopes is a strong number of volunteers. The six dates in 2018 begin June 2 over …

Zeta Metzger has been appointed interim Sturgis Township treasurer until the November election. Appointed during a special meeting last month, she fills the seat left vacant by Walt Krzycki, who resigned after serving the board for 20 years. Metzger has worked for the township in many capacities over the last 15 years, starting as an election inspector. Her previous positions include township trustee …

A White Pigeon woman has been charged with possession of counterfeit money. Dayln Perry, 28, is being held on a $35,000 bond following an incident last month in Coldwater. A clerk at Marshall Street Shell called police after Perry allegedly tried to pay with a suspicious $20 bill. Perry left and the clerk held on to the bill. Officers eventually …

Sturgis Hospital has implemented measures to improve the security of patients, visitors and staff. Effective today, the inner door of the Emergency Room entrance will be locked at all times, and a hospital staff member will be stationed at the window between the inner and outer doors to provide access. Any time of the day, ER patients should come to …