Government

County commissioners appear deadlocked on whether to move forward with a marketing plan to encourage Chicago and its suburban residents to consider making St. Joseph County a vacation and, potentially, a permanent destination. The issue was discussed during Tuesday’s work session involving the five-member commission. As part of its goal to promote its 150 miles of rivers, the county has …

Representatives from Glen Oaks Community College and the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department conducted an emergency-preparedness drill Tuesday. School officials said the drill was staged to provide college employees, and local and state police agencies a chance to practice responding to an active shooter incident on campus. Participants from public-safety and medical-response agencies in the county also had a role …

Driving too fast for conditions was determined to be a factor in a two-vehicle crash last week in Cass County’s Newburg Township. Sheriff Joe Underwood said deputies were called shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday to the intersection of Lewis Lake and Brownsville roads. Investigators concluded a car driven by 22-year-old Elkhart resident Christine Rossi was driving south on Lewis Lake …

The Sturgis Area and Three Rivers Area chambers of commerce will be hosting a presentation about a trip to Italy they are sponsoring later this year. The trip to Pompeii and Amalfi will take place Oct. 20-27 and cost $2,650 if booked by March 15. The informational presentation takes place at 5:30 tonight at the Dresser Business Center at Glen …

Alcohol is being cited as a factor that contributed to a one-vehicle crash Sunday night in Mottville Township. State police said a 25-year-old Goshen man was driving west on U.S. 12 when he lost control of his pickup. The vehicle struck a curb, lost a wheel and struck Jaywalker’s restaurant at the intersection of M-103. The vehicle then rolled over, …

An Indiana man died last week, while five family members in Cass County were treated for carbon monoxide poisoning at their Jefferson Township residence. Sheriff Joe Underwood said deputies responded at 5:30 a.m. Friday to 66280 Indian Lane near Edwardsburg. Cass County’s central dispatch received an alert from the residence indicating that the caller felt dizzy, faint and short of …

Eight arrests were made last week in a series of parole- and probation-compliance checks. The St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit assisted the Michigan Department of Corrections in conducting the checks Thursday. In all, five residences throughout the county were searched, resulting in the eight arrests. Sheriff’s department officials said arrests were made at locations in Sturgis and White Pigeon …

Three Rivers Wastewater Treatment Plant personnel have reported another sanitary sewer overflow from a village of Constantine air-release valve last week along U.S. 131. The incident Thursday night was the second such occurrence over a two-day period. The latest situation took place about a quarter-mile south of Withers Road, along the west side of the highway. St. Joseph County Central …

St. Joseph County’s commitment to a river trail plan is now fully implemented, as county commissioners last week approved the third of the three-phase process. In summary, the third phase emphasizes marketing. The target of marketing efforts will be Chicago adults between 45 and 70 years of age, with middle to high income. The target group will be encouraged to …

The project to bring sanitary sewer and water service to a county park in Fawn River Township moved another step forward last week. During Tuesday’s county commission meeting, commissioners approved Elkhart-based Jones Petrie Rafinski for engineering-related services centering on extending the utility services to all 43 campsites at Cade Lake Park and Campground. As part of its work, Jones Petrie …