News

Eight policies and plans drafted by the St. Joseph County Information Technology department were approved by county commissioners Tuesday. Presented by IT director Dustin Bainbridge, the several-page packet details specific policies related to Audit and Accountability; Change Management; Cyber Security Incident Response; Electronic Data Destruction and Sanitization; Information Technology Contingency; VPN Usage and Access; Wireless Access; and Workstation and Data …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners approved an exception to its hiring freeze Tuesday, granting county clerk Lindsay Oswald permission to advertise for a deputy clerk. The circuit court employee supports case-flow management and court staff when necessary. Oswald said the position is currently held by Gloria Tate, who is retiring next month. After Tuesday’s meeting, she noted that Tate …

Several appointments and reappointments were made Tuesday by members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Dan Czajkowski and Mendon Township resident Roger Gentz were reappointed to the St. Joseph County Agricultural Preservation Board. Czajkowski’s term is for one year while Gentz will serve for a three-year period. Current member Carroll Parmeter, Flowerfield Township supervisor, declined reappointment as …

A handgun was stolen during a recent breaking-and-entering incident in Nottawa Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said the crime occurred Monday in the 22000 block of Riverside Drive. A department media release did not indicate the manner in which access to the residence was gained.

A proposal to ban drivers from using handheld cellphones on Indiana roads is advancing in the state Legislature. A state Senate committee voted 8-1 Tuesday to endorse the bill that only permits cellphone use with hands-free or voice-operated technology, except in emergencies. Tina Smith of Indianapolis testified from a wheelchair about how she and her husband had stopped their motorcycle …

After revealing it had exceeded $1 million for its Campaign 2020, the St. Joseph County United Way announced its chairpersons for the agency’s next fundraising effort. Frank and Mary Kay Schultz, and Greg and Amy Hackman were introduced Tuesday at the United Way’s “Victory Celebration.” Sturgis residents, Frank Schultz works at his family-owned business, Retail Warehouse, while Mary Kay retired …

A longtime fast-food presence in Sturgis is closing at the end of the week. Burger King, located on South Centerville Road, will close at the end of the business day Saturday. Robert Snyder, general manager, said Tria Company of Battle Creek made the decision. Snyder said the closure affects him and another 20 employees. Some have invested 15 years there …

State police investigators are looking into the theft of gasoline from Klinger Lake Country Club. According to a department media release, the incident occurred Wednesday night, when a white sedan drove behind the club’s maintenance garage and its driver stole about 17 gallons of gas. The pumps were secured by a lock that had been cut off. Authorities are reviewing …

A St. Joseph County judge has ruled that police did not use proper constitutional procedure during a search following a dismemberment case in Sturgis. Wade Allen, 35, was arrested in the May 2019 case and charged with murder, dismemberment of a corpse and failure to report a death. At a hearing Wednesday in St. Joseph County Circuit Court, Judge Paul …

Theron Hunt will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole. On Jan. 15, Hunt, was found guilty of felony murder in the November 2018 fatal shooting of Kevin Johnson in Flowerfield Township. On Wednesday, Circuit Judge Paul Stutesman imposed the mandatory sentence. Johnson died when three Dowagiac residents went to the Flowerfield Township home …