News

Solid Waste Committee event collects household hazardous waste

​Saturday’s collection of household hazardous waste, electronics and other difficult-to-discard items had a clear leader in terms of popularity at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds. ​Pat Kulikowski, secretary of event sponsor St. Joseph County Solid Waste Committee, was unable to provide an explanation for the unprecedented number of tires turned in Saturday. In all, she said, about 1,700 were turned in …

Read More »

Two women arrested on drug charges

​Two Burr Oak residents were arrested on drug-related offenses over the weekend. ​Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called at 6 o’clock Saturday evening regarding potential drug activity. Deputies subsequently spoke with two women in the 100 block of North Second Street. During contact, deputies identified a 35-year-old female and a 53-year-old woman who reside at the residence. Lillywhite said deputies discovered the …

Read More »

Bicyclist died after being struck by vehicle

A Coldwater woman died last week after the bicycle she was riding was struck by a sport-utility vehicle in Branch County. Michigan State Police troopers continue to investigate the incident, which occurred April 12 in the area of South Angola Road and Nye Road in Ovid Township. Once on scene, troopers determined the 25-year-old woman was southbound on South Angola …

Read More »

Local group recognized for small business initiative

Four Sturgis men were recognized last week by a local civic group for an initiative they started in order to help local businesses. Dan Root, Tony Percival, Dave Northrop and Von Metzger, who led the Love Local $20$20 initiative a year ago, were given the Exchange Club’s “Book of Golden Deeds” award on Thursday. Root saw an idea posted on …

Read More »

Long-time county employee retires

A long-time St. Joseph County employee retired last week, ending a career that exceeded more than 30 years. Pat Kulikowski has served three decades as administrative assistant. In that role, she has had the unique experience of working under each of the county’s three administrators – Pat Yoder, Judy West-Wing and Teresa Doehring – since the position was created in …

Read More »

Communications project with Cass County considered

St. Joseph County is in the preliminary stages of ironing out a communications project with Cass County. The matter of constructing a new radio tower to be shared by central dispatch departments from both counties was fielded by commissioners during their executive committee meeting Wednesday. St. Joseph County Central Dispatch Director Dennis Brandenburg told commissioners that a coverage study following …

Read More »

Power-pole replacement begins in Sturgis

Indiana & Michigan Power has begun power-pole replacement and repair work on its 69-kilovolt line in Sturgis. The project started Monday and will continue through Friday next week. Municipal officials said the scope of work will necessitate some short-term closures on South Orange Street. Specifically, an impending closure will affect South Orange Street between West Congress Street and U.S. 12 …

Read More »

Body of man swept from pier recovered in Lake Michigan

The body of a southwestern Michigan man swept last month from a pier into Lake Michigan has been recovered. Members of the Michigan State Police dive team located the body of Dakota Yergeau, 27, Wednesday near the south pier at Silver Beach in St. Joseph. Yergeau and another man reportedly were on the pier in southwestern Michigan on March 28 …

Read More »

Executive committee divided on hiring freeze exception

A request to waive the county’s hiring freeze appears to have divided the St. Joseph County Board of Trustees. During their executive committee meeting Wednesday, county commissioners had contrasting opinions about whether to honor a request from district court administrator/magistrate Tabitha Wedge to hire a replacement deputy clerk for the court’s civil division. Following extensive debate on the $60,000-a-year position, …

Read More »

Man arrested after fleeing police

A Constantine man was arrested Monday after he led authorities on a pursuit in Constantine Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies attempted to stop a vehicle at 5 p.m. on Stears Road near U.S. 131. Deputies said the suspect was known to have an outstanding felony warrant, prompting the attempt to stop his vehicle. The 58-year-old man fled in a …

Read More »