Government

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this week approved a $1-a-year lease with the village of Burr Oak regarding the use of its water tower space for the county’s E-911 Central Dispatch. Dennis Brandenburg, central dispatch director, said a receiving antenna will be placed on the tower to improve the quality of two-way communication between dispatchers and emergency personnel …

An agreement between the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, and police departments in Three Rivers and Sturgis will be in place three more years following action this week by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. According to terms of the agreement, the county will provide both departments $35,000 apiece annually. In return, both departments will make available to the …

St. Joseph County Circuit Court was the recipient of three grants that, combined, total nearly three-quarters of a million dollars. Judge Paul Stutesman said the grants are: $317,000 for the Swift and Sure Sanctions Probation Program; $80,000 for the Adult Drug Treatment Court; and $350,000 over three years from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. Stutesman said …

A pair of local township supervisors returned before the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Tuesday and asked its members to consider sparing funds for improvements to local roadways. Appearing with a pumpkin-shaped Halloween bucket modified as a collection vessel – with “Road Fund” printed on its side – Florence Township Supervisor Gordon Evilsizor said he is under the impression …

Sturgis Township trustees have endorsed a request from the city of Sturgis for $1.6 million from the St. Joseph County delinquent-tax fund to help finance a proposed $2 million sports complex. Township Supervisor George Morse during Monday’s meeting said the city’s plan would facilitate the expansion of existing business, job creation and more recreation opportunities for local residents. Sturgis is …

Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County has announced the St. Joseph County Health Center will end primary-care services effective Oct. 16 and close for good Nov. 6. The move comes after members of the CMH board in July decided to end the agency’s relationship with the St Joseph County Health Center Board, which was not …

Fourteen items, including two employment agreements and a pair of requests to fill vacancies, await the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this afternoon. The agenda for the 5 o’clock meeting also includes memorandums of understanding for SCAN renewals with the cities of Sturgis and Three Rivers, acceptance of a bid to demolish a structure at 205 Dean St., and …

Alcohol and speed were cited by authorities as potential factors in a single-vehicle accident Saturday in Constantine Township. Sheriff’s officials said a 61-year-old Elkhart man was driving at a high rate of speed north on U.S. 131, where he lost control of his vehicle near the north junction of the U.S. 131 Business Route. The man’s pickup left the roadway …

A request by Three Rivers High School to stage a fireworks display during its football team’s senior night will be up for discussion at tonight’s Three Rivers City Commission meeting. Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners will consider authorizing a permit for the display, scheduled to take place Oct. 16. Also on the agenda is discussion on accepting financial support from …

Two men were arrested last week after police were called to the 300 block of South Clay Street in Sturgis to investigate a stabbing incident. Joshua Michael Wood, 28, was arrested early Friday on outstanding warrants and Jared Michael Payton, 26, was charged with assault with intent to murder. Payton remains in jail with a $250,000 cash/surety bond. A 35-year-old …