County Commission

St. Joseph County’s roster of public defender attorneys appears to be set for the 2022-23 state fiscal year, as the matter was discussed during last week’s board of commissioners’ executive committee meeting. Chief Public Defender Keith Stickley said the proposed eight-person roster is comprised of: Laurie Hines, John Bush, Rhonda Ives, Luke Nofsinger, Tim George, Paul Gipson, Melissa Hallack and …

Republican Rick Shaffer will return to serve two years as a member of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. In the only contested race to the seven-member board, Shaffer fended off Democrat Erin Schultes for the newly created Precinct 1, which comprises Lockport and Florence townships, and the city of Three Rivers.

The process of how St. Joseph County will administer $1 million of its American Rescue Plan Act funds was discussed during the county commission’s executive committee meeting last week. Commissioners entertained a number of options regarding the money and its recipients. In the end, it was decided the five county board members will individually review the 28 different requests submitted …

Lockport Township resident Rick Shaffer has announced his candidacy for Second District St. Joseph County Commissioner. Shaffer has served as a county commissioner on two previous occasions. On the ballot during the Aug. 4 primary election, the second district seat will represent Florence and Lockport townships, part of Fabius Township, and part of the city of Three Rivers. It is …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners discussed a few matters of note Tuesday. Chairman Dennis Allen said the county’s Commission on Aging is hosting karaoke at its Sturgis location 5 to 8 p.m. Monday. The Three Rivers site will host karaoke from 5 to 8 p.m. June 29. In addition, commissioner Ken Malone said the county’s parks …

Four exceptions were made to the county’s hiring freeze Dec. 15. St. Joseph County commissioners granted permission for District Court to fill two deputy clerk positions, Juvenile Court to fill its director/referee position and treasurer’s office to hire a deputy treasurer. In a separate matter, the board heard from emergency services director Erin Goff regarding an update on the 2020 …

St. Joseph County officials said goodbye to the dean of the five-member county commission board Tuesday. Allen Balog is wrapping up his 10th year on the panel. That follows a four-year tenure as mayor of the Three Rivers City Commission. A resolution recognizing Balog and his contributions to the county board was approved by commissioners. Balog, a 64-year-old Three Rivers …

St. Joseph County commissioners recommended appointing Sarah Apwisch to the county’s Transportation Authority Board. The matter was brought up at Wednesday’s executive committee meeting. Other loose ends addressed at the meeting include the recommended re-appointments of Rick Shaffer, Dan Czajkowski and Ken Malone to the county’s Parks and Recreation Commission. Commissioners also agreed to continue meeting via Zoom as long …

St. Joseph County commissioners this week approved several nominations and appointments to various boards and commissions in advance of new terms starting in 2021. They are: *Animal Control Advisory Board: Lori Lammon, Suzanne Lee and Dan Czajkowski, three-year terms. *Board of Public Works: Robert Horton, three years. *Building Authority Board: Kathy Humphreys, term expires in August. *Central Dispatch Policy Board: …

St. Joseph County officials heard an update this week on committee appointments. During Tuesday’s executive committee meeting, board chairman Dennis Allen noted the St. Joseph County Road Commission Board has one member whose term expires at the end of the year. Allen noted two people have applied for the six-year position. He and commissioner Dan Czajkowski will represent the county …