News

A man whose defense case brought international interest following a March 2 preliminary exam in St. Joseph County District Court took another turn Tuesday. After it was announced Coby Harris allegedly made phone calls from jail to the alleged victim, he faces another set of hearings March 30 and April 6. Tuesday’s hearing was a rescheduled examination, which began March …

A decades-long Three Rivers resident has been selected to oversee the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority. After serving since October as interim executive director of the Three Rivers-based agency, Allen Balog has accepted the position on a permanent basis. Balog’s agreement with the CTA board was formalized last week. During his 10-year stint as a county commissioner, Balog served the …

Four people were re-appointed to the Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Board of St. Joseph County. During their board meeting Tuesday, St. Joseph County commissioners approved Carol Naccarato, Kathy Pangle, Kay Decker and Rick Shaffer to three-year terms. Meanwhile, commissioners also re-appointed six people to the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority Board. They are: Charles Thompson, Bruce Zakrzewski, Sarah …

Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency officer Rebecca Burns, wishes to remind the public there should never be a charge for COVID-19 vaccine. Burns said the vaccine has been purchased by the federal government. In some cases, however, the provider may bill for an administration fee. Anyone receiving the vaccine from the local health department will be billed nothing, not even …

The removal of decades-old restrictive covenants assigned to property in Centreville could potentially spur economic growth in the county seat. Zoning administrator Doug Kuhlman told county commissioners during their executive committee meeting last week that the covenants were put in place by a committee that doesn’t appear to exist anymore. During their board meeting Tuesday, commissioners approved a measure that …

St. Joseph County commissioners have approved a budget amendment necessary to fix a leaking roof at a county facility. During their board meeting Tuesday, commissioners were brought up-to-date on the status of a roof leak over the atrium area at the Three Rivers Commission on Aging property. County finance director Angie Steinman said the correction was originally slated to be …

St. Joseph County commissioners have approved a request to use courthouse property for a local, community festival. During their board meeting Tuesday, the five-member commission OK’d a request from Covered Bridge Days officials. Festival organizers asked to use the courthouse property for the two-day event, which would begin July 9. Commissioners indicated they hope the festival will go on as …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has announced more individuals are invited to schedule their COVID-19 vaccination. The expanded group now includes all essential workers, people age 50 years and older, and people age 16 and older with a chronic healthcare condition. The agency has received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, and with additional doses of Moderna and Pfizer being …

The Constantine Fire Department oversaw a controlled burn last weekend along Haybridge Road, near Block Road, in Florence Township. Central dispatch said it received several calls from residents curious about the plume of dark smoke that filled the sky as a result of Saturday’s prescribed burn. The burn was set intentionally with the intent of fostering the regrowth of native …

St. Joseph County officials have endorsed the continuation of a law-enforcement agreement with two communities. Contracts related to sheriff’s department-contracted services with the villages of Burr Oak and Centreville were approved at Tuesday’s county commission meeting. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite told commissioners the agreements are renewals and both cover a five-year period. Lillywhite said with a few minor exceptions, terms of …