St Joseph County

A “St. Joseph County Cares” fundraiser will take place Friday and involves a partnership between the Sturgis Media Group and St. Joseph County United Way. All proceeds from the event will go directly to a Family Catastrophic Fund set up through the United Way for flood-stricken residents in Houston. From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, donations will be collected and …

A White Pigeon man died over the weekend when the motorcycle he was driving collided with a sport-utility vehicle in Elkhart County. Indiana authorities said Austin Hersha, 29, was driving a 2003 Harley Davidson at 9:30 p.m. Sunday northbound on County Road 23 near the intersection of County Road 104. Elkhart County Sheriff’s officials said the motorcycle collided with a …

St. Joseph County’s decision to seek the validity of a contract with the city of Three Rivers was roundly applauded during Tuesday’s county commission meeting. The praise came on the heels of the county’s decision last week to file a complaint for declaratory judgment against the city of Three Rivers. The issue centers on a 17-field sports complex proposed to …

A traffic stop in Schoolcraft last week netted the arrests of two people suspected of stealing merchandise from the Three Rivers Walmart. Schoolcraft Police Chief Bryan Campbell said an officer initiated a traffic stop at 7 p.m. Saturday on U.S. 131, just south of the village limits, after it was observed having improper plates. Two occupants were found to have …

St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department deputies were called last week to a report of a home invasion in Constantine Township. According to a department media release, deputies were called Friday to the 11000 block of Riverside Drive, where a resident entered the house shortly after 4 p.m. and found a man inside a bedroom. The intruder fled the residence westbound …

A residence was destroyed by fire late Sunday afternoon in Constantine Township. Its occupants were not home at the time of the blaze, which was reported at 5:15 p.m. and took place in the 15300 block of Featherstone Road. Authorities were notified after family members of the home’s occupants, and who live by the house, saw smoke. The home is …

Last week’s annual Youth for Christ fundraising auction drew hundreds of bidders to at least a thousand items — all donated by local businesses and individuals. This year, the auction surpassed YFC’s goal coming in at more than $40,000 in proceeds. Ken Mills, executive director of YFC/Campus Life Southwest Michigan, said it was the second-highest auction in 20 years. The …

A plan to find a successor for Pat Yoder as county administrator was set in motion this week. During Wednesday’s executive committee meeting, commissioners agreed to advertise the job for a two-week period on the county’s website. Human resources director Teresa Doehring was named assistant county administrator in May 2016 and has served as Yoder’s protégé since then. Though Doehring …

As a follow-up to last week’s Farm-to-Table meal, the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging wishes to thank a number of supporters and donors. Nearly 500 meals were served at COA’s three meal locations, which are in Three Rivers, Sturgis and at Kline’s Resort, as well as the agency’s Meals on Wheels recipients. All food prepared and served last Friday …

Officials from the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency continue to investigate incidents of pertussis in St. Joseph County. About 320 people have been treated with antibiotics in the past month, according to Val Newton, prevention services director. Occurrences began in June, then spread. Newton said treatment has been confined to the Amish community, with one exception. The Amish family volunteered …