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The St. Joseph County Road Commission spent more than $5 million on road maintenance last year, down from $6.5 million in 2010, according to the agency’s manager, Louis Csokasy. During his annual report to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last month, Csokasy said the agency did manage to complete 90 miles of road upgrades through chip-and-seal work in …

The Animal Rescue Fund of St. Joseph County is appealing to the public for help in providing some items needed immediately. Cat and dog food, cat carriers and litter box filler, bath towels and foster and permanent homes for pets are needed in addition to monetary donations and gas cards. People wishing to inquire about making a donation or ask …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department was summoned shortly before 6 p.m. Saturday in response to a two-vehicle accident in Fawn River Township. Investigators said a pickup driven by a 58-year-old Coldwater man was eastbound on U.S. 12 when a vehicle driven by an 18-year-old Westland woman attempted to make a left turn onto Carls Road The driver of the …

Last month’s Bike to Build event, a fundraiser to benefit the St. Joseph County Habitat for Humanity, drew nearly 70 participants and raised more than $2,000. Organizers of the 19th fundraiser said the June 23 event was well attended in light of the fact it took a one-year hiatus in 2011. Carol Higgins, a member of the county’s Habitat for …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District has announced it is planning a paddle poker run, a fundraiser to help raise money for the agency’s river and riverbank cleanup efforts. Conservation District officials said they recently cleared the hurdles necessary with the state in order to stage the lottery-type event. The paddle poker run will take place Sept. 2 on the …

The Palmer and Long lakes flotilla in Colon saw a Chicago-area family win first place for best float in the contest staged last weekend. The annual event, started in 1986 by the Colon Masonic Lodge 73, drew just seven participants. The family of Kevin and Peggy Nolan won the event with their boat’s theme, “The Dog House.” Other themes included …

Cass County authorities recovered the body of a South Bend man who drowned Monday in Kirk Lake, northeast of Vandalia. The body of Eugene Carpenter, 69, was found Monday afternoon. Cass County authorities were called to the public access of Kirk Lake about 2 p.m. after a boat was found abandoned. Officials said it appears Carpenter was attempting to launch …

Wednesday is the fourth of July, but it’s not the weekend, it’s the middle of the week. This sort of messes up my schedule. It’ll be Wednesday, but it will seem like Saturday. Any way you look at it, Wednesday is a holiday, which means there will be no mail, no newspaper, no trash pickup, and the banks will be closed. Speaking …

St. Joseph County Sheriff Brad Balk said car-deer collisions, drunken-driving arrests and the number of complaints investigated by the department in 2011 all increased from the year before. During his annual report to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last month, Balk said the department in 2011 experienced an 11-year high with 65 arrests for motorists operating under the …

St. Joseph County Commissioner Gerald Loudenslager resigned from his elected position Friday, ending his 20-year membership to the seven-member panel. Shortly after tendering his resignation, the 67-year-old Loudenslager was then sworn in as the new supervisor of Nottawa Township. The Nottawa Township post became available after his son, Kurt, stepped down as township supervisor for health-related reasons. Loudenslager had already …