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St. Joseph County officials last week approved the 2019 Indigent Defense Agreement. County administrator Teresa Doehring said the agreement represents a 2 percent increase compared to the 2018 agreement. The county’s allocation for the agreement is $567,528. Doehring said the caseload of indigent clients averages about 25 weekly. According to terms of the seven-page agreement, there will be the full-time …

The Three Rivers Fire Department last week unveiled the newest addition to its vehicle fleet. The Spartan 180 fire engine cost $435,000 and has the capacity to pump 1,500 gallons of water per minute, according to chief Carl Holcomb. He added that the truck can carry 750 gallons of water through its onboard tank. With the latest vehicle delivered, the …

A state trooper has been injured after his marked patrol car crashed along the Indiana Toll Road in St. Joseph County near South Bend. State police say Master Trooper Bradley Kaizer was released Wednesday from a hospital after receiving treatment for cuts and abrasions. Kaizer was attempting to catch up to another vehicle for a traffic violation about 8 a.m. …

Teresa Doehring is wrapping up her first full year as county administrator and by all indications, the five-member board of commissioners is pleased with her effort. The 44-year-old Doehring received a contract renewal and a 2 percent raise in the capacity of the county’s highest, non-elected position. Both matters were approved unanimously by county commissioners last week. A lifelong Mendon-area …

Investigators said wood-burning stoves are believed to be the source of two fires Saturday in St. Joseph County. On Saturday afternoon, firefighters were called to 70861 Sevison Road in White Pigeon Township after a report of a pole barn on fire. Authorities were told a family member could see the corner of the structure near a wood burner that was …

Centreville Public Schools and a number of its volunteers were successful in a recent attempt to “Stuff the Bus.” High school principal Chad Brady said the effort was co-organized by the high school’s Future Farmers of America students and its National Honor Society members. Brady and Centreville Elementary Principal Mark VanderKlok joined students and parent volunteers during the Dec. 8 …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District recently awarded a pair of prizes it offered during fair week. Agency director Carolyn Grace said names were collected through the week, with two drawn at the conclusion of the annual event. Katie Walters of Sturgis won a composter, an item donated by the St. Joseph County Conservation District. Meanwhile, Three Rivers resident Randy …

The column this week will not contain advice, helpful hints or personal opinions. Instead, I have decided to include things that might bring a chuckle or two. I have a collection of witty sayings and quotes, and I feel it’s time to clear some of my research folders. Church bulletins are great for passing on announcements of coming events. Here …

A Mendon man was sentenced last week after he was arrested on a charge of crop insurance fraud. Doug Diekman, 55, was sentenced Thursday to 13 months in prison and ordered to reimburse nearly $500,000. He had pled guilty to attempting to defraud a federal crop-insurance program after obtaining an insurance payout for about 1,000 acres of land he rented …

Indiana authorities said a Three Rivers man was at fault in a two-vehicle accident in LaGrange County last week. Sheriff’s officials were called the evening of Dec. 17 to County Road 700 South, where 27-year-old Christopher Kilgore was driving a farm truck. Kilgore told investigators his foot slipped off the truck’s gas pedal and wedged under the brake pedal. As …