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In recent columns, I’ve given a lot of attention to keeping and disposing of important papers and documents. Everyone carries some very important things with them all the time. I’m referring to your driver’s license, health insurance card and, of course, credit cards. These items are usually kept in a wallet or purse, both of which can easily be lost …

A Vandalia woman was injured after her car struck a tree last week in Porter Township. Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies responded at 11:40 a.m. Thursday to a single-vehicle accident on Robbins Lake Road, near Sears Road. The driver of the vehicle, 82-year-old Margaret Warren, was traveling north when her vehicle ran off the roadway for an undisclosed …

The cost to secure vital records from St. Joseph County has gone up. Effective Jan. 17, the expense to secure a vital record – in most cases a birth, death or marriage certificate – rose from $13 to $15 for the first record, and from $4 to $5 for each additional record. At the recommendation of county administrator Teresa Doehring, …

A matter related to citizen comments at St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meetings was at the center of a reaction expressed by commissioner Dan Czajkowski earlier this month. Constantine resident Rebecca Shank has persistently asked commissioners to restore the “citizen comment” option toward the end of the board’s twice-a-month meetings. The second opportunity was removed from the board’s meeting …

Twelve people have been reappointed to the St. Joseph County Community Corrections Advisory Board. During their Jan. 16 meeting, members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners approved one-year terms for judges Jeff Middleton, David Tomlinson, Rob Pattison and Paul Stutesman; Anthony Callaway, representing Day Reporting Center; prosecutor John McDonough; Lisa Martin, from the Michigan Department of Corrections; district …

A Kalamazoo Michigan man who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the 2013 beating death of his elderly neighbor has been sentenced to 15-20 years in prison. The punishment handed down Monday for 45-year-old Todd Maneke followed a plea agreement last month. Alfred Minka was found dead in August 2013 at his Kalamazoo apartment. Maneke was charged three years later. …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners earlier this month fulfilled their annual financial commitment to a pair of dependent agencies. During the board’s Jan. 16 meeting, it authorized an appropriation of more than $250,000 to Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County. The budgeted funds will be distributed through quarterly transfers by the …

Troopers from Michigan State Police are looking into the theft of a car last week from a business in Mottville Township. Investigators said they were notified at 10:05 p.m. Wednesday about a car taken from the Marathon gas station in the 11000 block of U.S. 12. The victim told authorities she was inside the station paying the cashier and her …

The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging recently received a $750 donation from Farmers State Bank in Sturgis.  The money was raised by the employees at the bank. The donation will go toward benefiting COA members and the activities and other programs in which they participate. On Wednesday, January 24, representatives from the bank presented the check to the COA …

The second annual Trivia Night, organized by the St. Joseph County United Way, drew a full house at nearly 150 people Saturday. The $30-per-person cost, 50/50 ticket sales and proceeds from a silent auction all went to the Five Star Pizza Adoption Fund. In all, more than $5,000 was raised. Carl Thornton, owner of Five Star Pizza in Colon, said …