Government

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners approved a tuition-reimbursement policy for county employees. Spearheaded by Commissioner Don Eaton, the program allows county employees to receive reimbursement up to 100 percent of tuition cost per semester at an accredited college, university or trade school. The course must be for credit or extended-education purposes. County administrator Pat Yoder said the classes …

Two Anderson, Ind., men were plucked from the St. Joseph River near the Mottville Dam last week. Rescue personnel said the boat got caught in the current Wednesday morning and was pulled into the dam. Both men were rescued before the boat sank. Personnel from the White Pigeon Fire Department, St. Joseph County Dive Rescue and St. Joseph County Marine …

An Illinois man died Sunday in a drowning incident on Donnell Lake in Cass County’s Penn Township. The victim was identified as 67-year-old Vincent Churak of Evergreen Park, Illinois. Central Dispatch received a call regarding a subject calling for help. Observers attempted to assist the victim, but he had already gone under the water when they arrived. Divers found the …

Cass County Sheriff’s deputies handled a complaint regarding an assault with a deadly weapon with intent to commit murder early Sunday in the 60000 block of Main Street in Vandalia. The victim, 46-year-old Mark Perkins of Dowagiac, said he got into a verbal altercation which ended with the suspect pulling out a knife and stabbing him two times. Perkins was …

A 71-year-old South Haven resident has died of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident two weeks earlier on M-40, north of Dutch Settlement Road, in Cass County’s Marcellus Township. The victim was identified as Jerry Hartsfield. He died Thursday at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.

A Portage-based company was hired this week to fulfill a component toward potential construction of a Sturgis senior center. Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners agreed Tuesday to work with Cornerstone Construction Management. The company will provide services related to design, bidding and construction. Total cost of the deal is $78,000. County Administrator Pat Yoder said the …

A utility trailer was stolen this week from a location in Mottville Township. State police said the incident occurred between 10:30 p.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. Thursday on Vistula Road. The 16-foot trailer is enclosed and has “H&M Construction” on its side. Tire impressions show the suspect vehicle headed north on Vistula Road, toward U.S. 12.

Six people this week were recommended for re-appointment to the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging Board for two-year terms. They are: Margaret Schultz, Jon Withers, Charles Willer, Deb Leyes, Steve Boland and Jay Newman. As Leyes is a member at large, her term is for one year only. Also during action Tuesday, the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners …

Police were dispatched to Quail Run apartments located on Cato Lane in Sturgis Thursday night, when callers reported two men were fighting, and one of the men was being attacked with a hatchet. Officers located a man who had fled the scene on foot. He suffered a large laceration to the hand and a gash to his upper back. The …

Authorities say a 4-year-old girl who died following a two-vehicle crash in southwestern Michigan appears to have been properly restrained in a child safety seat at the time of the crash. The Cass County sheriff’s office on Thursday issued an update on the Monday afternoon crash in Mason Township that killed Adrianna Chanthavongsavath. The department had said Tuesday that the …