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Four reappointments to the St. Joseph County Planning Commission were made by the county commission last week. Returning to the planning commission to serve three-year terms are Gregg Dohm of Sturgis, Three Rivers-area residents Robert Horton and Rick Shaffer, and county commission board representative Kathy Pangle, a Mendon resident. Their terms begin Jan. 1.

Vaccine waiver rates for school-age children have increased slightly in Michigan. The Detroit News reports that Department of Health and Human Services data shows 3.2 percent of kindergartners and seventh-graders received immunization waivers in 2016 compared to 3.1 percent the year before. The immunization rate was 4.8 percent in 2014. Since 2015, the state has required parents to attend educational …

An Indiana man who thought he’d never see his dog again after it vanished in September has been reunited with the pooch, which was 200 miles away in central Michigan. Gene Valdez of Elkhart, spent two months periodically checking a local animal shelter for his Brittney Spaniel, Rock. But then his nephew contacted the Cass County Humane Society, located about …

A Kalamazoo fountain that features a European settler with a weapon in his hand towering over a Native American has been vandalized with what appeared to be red paint. The substance was poured onto the settler and something resembling a hatchet was thrust into the top of the Fountain of the Pioneers in Kalamazoo’s Bronson Park. City workers discovered the …

St. Joseph County’s board of commissioners Tuesday approved a resolution calling for a hiring freeze. The mandate affects general-fund positions and takes effect immediately, according to commission chairman Allen Balog. He said it will remain in place as long as necessary and will be reviewed for continuation annually during the board’s budget process. In addition, the county is offering for …

The 27th annual Jail Ministry Banquet took place recently, an event staged through the Correctional Chaplaincy Corporation of St. Joseph County under the direction of Chaplain Jake Schwartz. The meal was provided by several area churches and prepared by parishioners of Calvary Chapel. The annual pie auction added several hundred dollars to the total raised for the annual benefit, which …

The city of Sturgis has received a $375,000 state grant for reconstruction of North Lakeview Avenue from U.S. 12 to the railroad tracks. In addition, Sturgis City Commission members recently heard about proposed options to widen the 25-foot road, expanding it to at least 27 feet. At 27 feet, the road would meet minimum requirements to be considered a major street. …

St. Joseph County Administrator Pat Yoder ended his career Tuesday on a high note, receiving numerous accolades from members of the county commission. The 67-year-old Yoder announced three months ago he would be retiring at the end of 2017. Instead, Tuesday was his last day and consequently his final county commission meeting, as well. Yoder conceded he was intentionally tight-lipped …

The River Country Tourism Council of Southwest Michigan held a photo contest last month and received dozens of photographs taken in St. Joseph County. The contest theme was “People Having Fun in River Country.” Photos were judged by RCTC officials, who chose three winners. First place went to Tracy Saunders of Three Rivers for her photo, “Sunrise on Pleasant Lake.” Michelle …

My name is Buddy.  I am an American Bulldog,  Oh, how I do love hot dogs!  I am wiggly and friendly with people.  I probably would do best in a one dog only home.  Because I am so strong, I would do well with obedience training. My docket number is MISC17-000003, at the St. Joseph County Animal Control Shelter located …