News

A White Pigeon woman suffered serious injuries after the vehicle she was in was struck by an SUV operated by a distracted driver. Sheriff’s deputies responded at noon Saturday to the intersection of U.S. 131 and North River Road in Constantine Township. Upon further investigation, it was determined that an SUV heading east on North River Road did not stop …

The St. Joseph County Area Narcotics Unit and the Southwest Enforcement Team recently joined forces to form SWET-South. The multi-jurisdiction unit replaces what was previously known as the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit. The new unit includes officers from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan State Police and Sturgis Police Department. St. Joseph County Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite said the …

A Michigan Department of Health and Human Services employee in St. Joseph County received a prestigious award issued by a state panel last week in Bay City. Susan Pyles, a foster care specialist with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services office in Centreville, was honored as the “Foster Care Worker of the Year” during Friday’s luncheon staged by the …

Saturday’s 13th annual fall collection of household hazardous waste and electronics recycling was declared a success by its organizers. Sponsored by the St. Joseph County Solid Waste Committee, the four-hour collection netted 30,000 pounds of electronics, 8,000 pounds of hazardous waste, 226 tires, about 14,000 pounds of paper and cardboard, 4,000 pounds of latex paint, and one and one-quarter semi-trailers …

A shortage of staff will reduce the number of food inspections in the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency’s three counties. Environmental Health director Paul Andriaachi said St. Joseph County’s food sanitarian Hannah Warner resigned last month, leaving a vacancy in the food-inspection staff. The loss of staff has made it necessary to institute a reduced frequency of inspections and to …

Garrett Myland has been named assistant manager/professional engineer of the St. Joseph County Road Commission. He will aid managing director John Lindsey. Newly retired managing director Chris Minger said Lindsey and Myland will be a good combination that put the agency in a great position for the future. Myland came to the road commission six years ago as an intern …

Sturgis city commissioners recently approved spending $75,000 to enhance security and traffic flow at Oak Lawn Cemetery. The proposal includes: a 165-foot security fence with a 28-foot swing gate at the South Monroe Street entrance; a 545-foot black vinyl chain-link fence; a 16-foot swing gate and two removable bollards at the South Street entrance; 10 solar-powered security lights; an entrance sign, …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has agreed to continue an early-retirement incentive for most county employees. Commissioners approved the concept Tuesday, keeping in place an offer initiated last year. Five county employees out of 19 eligible accepted the offer in 2017. As they were last year, requirements to qualify for the offer include stipulations that the employee is vested …

Thomas Hagerman was recently appointed to the Centreville village council, filling the seat left vacant by the Sept. 5 passing of council member Steve Quake. Both Hagerman and Brandy Lynn Eckert had submitted citizen interest forms. However, the council decided to go with Hagerman as Eckert is running unopposed in November’s election. Hagerman said it is more than likely he will …

Century Bank and Trust recently presented a check for $1,636 to Domestic And Sexual Abuse Services, headquartered in Three Rivers. Bank employees in St. Joseph, Branch and Hillsdale counties pay to wear jeans on Fridays, then each quarter choose a different organization to receive those funds. DASAS provides a safe place for survivors and their children, and its staff and volunteers …