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St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners approved a number of committee appointments during its monthly meeting Tuesday. David Miars and Dan Czajkowski were named to the county’s Board of Public Works; Kathy Pangle to the Commission on Aging Board; Gerald Loudenslager to the Department of Health and Human Services Commission; Matt Scheske to the Investment Advisory Committee; Rodney Chupp to …

A week after ironing out details related to a major renovation project, St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners formally OK’d the details during its monthly meeting Tuesday. Approval of the so-called Courts Building Master Plan by the five-member board gives county administrator Teresa Doehring full authority to execute the scope of work related to a overhaul of the county courts …

Camp Eberhart wishes to remind the public of several different methods of financial support to benefit the Fabius Township property. Project 132 Camper Scholarships benefits children whose families are unable to afford a week at camp. Over the years, project 132 has helped hundreds of underprivileged children enjoy the camp experience, building confidence and lifelong learning skills. Annual Giving Program …

St. Joseph County Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said the agency is supporting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in its efforts centering on reducing impaired driving over the coming holiday season. The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign runs now through Jan. 1, with additional deputies on patrol specifically focusing on impaired drivers. Deputies will be on the lookout for …

A person of interest was interviewed following a fire that partially destroyed a vacant building last week in Sturgis Township. Tri-Township Fire Chief Max Kulpinski said officials were dispatched at 9:30 p.m. Thursday to the 26000 block of U.S. 12. Kulpinski said crews arriving on the scene found the front half of the building on fire. The fire was put …

Centreville Public Schools Board members agreed last week to move forward with what is being called a “pre-qualification” process related to a proposed bond renewal request in May. TowerPinkster was named the architect of record and Triangle Associates the construction management firm. Also during last week’s meeting, superintendent Tom Brady recognized and thanked president Jeff Troyer and board member Margaret …

St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department has announced its employees of the month for October. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite recently recognized Mark Mellinger as road patrol deputy of the month. Meanwhile, deputies Paul Kindig and Don Heath were recognized for corrections officers of the month for October. In addition, Lillywhite said the department also issued Deputy Don Heath and Sgt. Kyle Rice …

An out-of-state resident was arrested last week in Centreville on drug-related offenses. Sheriff’s deputies said they were called early-morning hours Wednesday to Riverwood Apartments in response to a report of a suspicious male. Upon arrival, deputies located a 61-year-old in the hallway of the apartment complex, located at 340 W. Main Street. A California resident, the man was arrested after …

County health officers don’t need approval from elected officials to issue orders, the Michigan Court of Appeals said in a precedent-setting decision related to protests over COVID-19 school mask mandates. Mask orders were controversial when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration changed course and left key decisions to local health departments. The result: blistering criticism and tense confrontations at county board meetings in some …

Centreville school officials are reviewing their options after learning the St. Joseph County Intermediate School District is discontinuing a support program for students who are emotionally impaired. During their meeting Monday, board of education members learned from superintendent Chad Brady that the EI support program operated through the ISD’s Pathfinder Center will close Dec. 23. What that means, Brady noted, …