St Joseph County

Upcoming changes at Sturgis Hospital will affect the equivalent of almost 14 full-time positions. In addition, the Pain Management Center and the Wound Clinic are scheduled to close. The actions are the result of Sturgis Hospital experiencing deficits during fiscal year 2017, hospital spokeswoman Phyllis Youga said. Those deficits were a result of declines in inpatient and outpatient volume, a …

State police are investigating the theft of a log splitter from a location in Fabius Township. The Huskee brand splitter was taken between 10 p.m. Monday and 5 a.m. Tuesday from the 50000 block of Pulver Road. The log splitter is red in color and its trailer had a flat tire.

Three Lansing-area juveniles were arrested after they allegedly stole a semi truck. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said deputies were called around 2:30 p.m. Sunday to the 10000 block of Floating Bridge Road in Flowerfield Township. The owner told authorities the truck has a GPS unit, which led deputies to the location. The owner said the truck was stolen …

Two handguns, a long gun and a collection of silver Canadian half dollars were stolen from a residence in Fawn River Township. Sheriff’s department officials said investigators were called Sunday to the 30000 block of U.S. 12, where the victim told authorities the incident occurred between 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday. A department media release did not indicate …

The task of converting the former Three Rivers Inn from a hotel to senior housing and Commission On Aging headquarters is progressing well. Tim Stoll, COA director, addressed county commissioners Tuesday with an update on the plan. Stoll said assessments regarding the building and its potential re-design are ongoing. Stoll said the COA is working on a community-wide meeting for …

St. Joseph County voters will have the chance next year to decide the fate of a millage-increase request sought by E-911 Central Dispatch. Members of the county commission voted Tuesday to authorize the 0.25-mill increase request to appear on the May 2018 ballot. If approved, the agency would collect 1 mill annually over a seven-year period. It currently collects 0.75 …

High school students in school districts adjacent to Michigan’s state border are one step closer to more post-secondary and dual enrollment options after the House recently approved legislation proposed by state Rep. Aaron Miller. The legislation amends the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act with the specific stipulation that the out-of-state educational facility must be within 20 miles of the shared border …

Michigan Department of Transportation officials are planning an open house next week to address proposed improvements of a major intersection. The state agency will stage an open house 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Henry Brown Municipal Building in Coldwater to discuss its plans to repave and reconfigure the I-69 business loop in Coldwater. Officials from MDOT and the …

Teresa Doehring was announced Tuesday as the successor to Pat Yoder as St. Joseph County administrator. The position is the highest, non-elected job in St. Joseph County’s government. Doehring, who turned 43 Monday, currently serves as the county’s human resources director and assistant county administrator. A lifelong Mendon-area resident, Doehring was recognized for her leadership and contributions to St. Joseph …

Twenty-six county employees with milestone years of service were recognized Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. During Tuesday’s commission meeting, nine department heads presented their respective employees with a pin to commemorate their employment-related achievement. Recognized for a decade of service were Rose Risko, Katie Hughes, Paulette Snay, Stacey Bower, Jerimiah Abnet, Ed Rangler and Josh Allabach. …