News

After recent protests at Branch-Hillsdale- St. Joseph Health Agency meetings, Hillsdale County commissioner Brent Leininger suggested a change in policy for public comments. An email to Policy Committee members suggested the presiding officer may prohibit public comments that are frivolous, repetitive or harassing. Leininger said he serves on a school board that adopted similar rules. Protestors caused disruptions at the December and January …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week approved a pair of re-appointments to the county’s Agricultural Preservation Board. Sherman Township resident John Fair Jr. and Mendon Township’s Larry Rice will return to serve three-year terms, which will expire in March 2025. In addition, commissioner Dan Czajkowski was appointed to serve a one-year term expiring in March 2023.

U.S. health officials have warned parents not to use three powdered infant formulas manufactured at an Abbott plant in Sturgis. Investigators recently linked bacterial contamination to the three formulas. The Food and Drug Administration said it is investigating four reports of infants who were hospitalized after consuming the formula, including one who died. The agency said one of the cases …

The Michigan Senate Finance Committee last week heard testimony on legislation sponsored by Sen. Kim LaSata to aid new farmers entering the industry and helping preserve Michigan’s agricultural history. Senate Bill 697 would grant a tax credit to a farmer who rents or sells an agricultural asset – including land, livestock, machinery and buildings – to a beginning farmer. Under the …

A southwestern Michigan man faces prison time and can no longer hunt in the state after pleading guilty to charges stemming from illegal deer poaching, authorities said. Justin Ernst, 33, pleaded guilty last week in Van Buren County to one count each of possession of a firearm and obtaining a hunting license when ineligible and three counts of illegal taking/possessing …

A Sturgis man will serve up to 10 years in prison following a series of crimes he committed over the past year and a half. Kyle Miller, 34, was sentenced recently by St. Joseph County Circuit Judge Paul Stutesman. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Josh Robare added that Miller failed to show up for his scheduled sentencing last September. In April 2020, …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department held a ceremony Thursday to recognize its employees of the year – one from road patrol, the other from its correctional division. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said deputy of the year is Kevin Penn. Penn is a member of the Uniformed Services Division and assigned to general county patrol. He has been with the agency …

An item related to support for a potential name change of Fishers Lake was pulled from the agenda of Tuesday’s county commission meeting. County administrator Teresa Doehring said petitioners backing the proposed change to Fisher Lake asked that the matter be tabled until further notice. Petitioners were seeking the county’s support for the proposed change of identification before the issue …

Members of the St. Joseph County Intermediate School District Board of Education this week approved increases in pay for substitute teachers and substitute assistant teachers for 2021-22, effective this week. Full-day substitute teacher pay rates jumped from $100 to $125, while half-day substitute teachers will receive $62.50, an increase from $50. Meanwhile, floating substitute teacher pay increased to $140 per day, …

Dennis Allen was acknowledged this week for his four years as chairman of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. During their meeting Tuesday, county commission members recognized Allen with a plaque and an abundance of kind words. Board vice-chair Dan Czajkowski – in the absence of board chair Kathy Pangle – said Allen was a good and reliable leader …