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St. Joseph County’s commissioners appear ready to support what is likely to be the final early-retirement incentive they offer county employees. During Wednesday’s executive committee meeting, county administrator Teresa Doehring clarified the offer is actually an enhanced-retirement incentive. She said the county has offered at least three such retirement incentives over the past three years. The goal is to help …

Superintendents from six St. Joseph County-based school districts have signed a letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer regarding the mandate that athletes use masks while engaged in competition. The superintendents – from Sturgis, Three Rivers, White Pigeon, Centreville, Mendon and Constantine – said Whitmer took a positive step forward last week by loosening mask requirements for student athletes who play tennis, …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners plans to hold an in-person commission meeting next month. During their executive committee meeting earlier this week, county administrator Teresa Doehring and commissioners targeted Oct. 6 as their first in-person board meeting since Feb. 18. Doerhing said the spacious commissioners’ room would allow up to 35 people to attend while still safely observe social …

Fire departments in St. Joseph County appear to be on the hook for the cost of new pagers, despite claims that the items were to be included in a successful millage proposal to support central dispatch and its 9-1-1 service. The matter was discussed during Wednesday’s county commission executive committee meeting. Dan Wilkins, a Fabius Township Board trustee, sent a …

A utility trailer was reported stolen from a location in Calhoun County’s Athens Township within the past week. State police troopers are investigating the incident, which was taken between Saturday and Monday from the 4000 block of 3 1/2 Mile Road. The trailer is black, 6-by-8 feet, with a wooden floor and a metal, mesh gate.

An Indiana man was injured after he was involved in an accident on an all-terrain vehicle in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly before 3 p.m. Tuesday to the 10000 block of Bair Lake Road in response to an accident with injuries. Upon arrival, deputies met with the driver, 40-year-old Timothy Krucina, of Hobart. He …

Michelle Cromwell, licensing agent with the St. Joseph County Department of Health and Human Services, said there is a higher-than-usual need for placement of area teenagers right now. Cromwell dispelled some common myths about foster care, including foster parents do not need to be married, they don’t have to live in or own a house, and children in foster care …

Doyle Community Center officials in Sturgis said the facility will reopen after stipulations in the governor’s orders are examined, city manager Mike Hughes said. Hughes said the city has remained in a holding pattern, offering limited outside fitness classes. Once the city reviews requirements, it will open the Doyle Center as soon as possible. It closed March 16, less than …

On Thursday, September 3 and Friday, September 4, the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging delivered an ice cream treat to every senior who receives home-delivered meals. COA staff delivered the ice cream treats, which included drumsticks, strawberry shortcake bars, ice cream sandwiches and push pops, to more than 200 homes over the two-day period. “We try to give our …

Michigan Department of Transportation workers are getting into final stages of the U.S. 131 reconstruction project in Three Rivers. According to agency officials, traffic this week will continue to travel in single lanes on the newly created northbound side of the highway. Other updates include news that Millard Road is now open, some utility-relocation work remains ongoing and access will …