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The St. Joseph County Transportation Authority’s seventh Free Ride Home program offered New Year’s Eve served 14 people over a six-hour period this year. The figure is the lowest since the Three Rivers-based agency started the program in 2008, on the eve of 2009. As it has since its inception, Free Ride Home started at 10 p.m. Dec. 31 and …

A Missouri-based company was chosen to conduct feasibility-study services regarding potential improvements and renovations to the county jail. Commissioners Dec. 15 selected Goldberg Group Architects of St. Joseph, Mo., at a cost of $5,000, plus potential reimbursable expenses. County administrator Pat Yoder said the study is being done as a proactive measure, based in large part on conversations he has …

Two Branch County residents were charged with sex crimes from incidents that date to 2006. Michigan State Police said the victim, a 22-year-old Mishawaka resident, disclosed she had been allegedly sexually assaulted multiple times by David Green, 44, of Coldwater. The victim told investigators that Green took nude photographs of her starting in 2006 and that their relationship included intercourse. …

Five personnel matters were approved by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Dec. 15. Custodian Tara Lafler’s employment status was changed from part time to full time, while Benjamin Brandenburg was made a full-time employee at the sheriff’s department as a road patrol officer at a pay rate of $21.52 an hour. The resignation of Commission On Aging in-home …

KALAMAZOO – After ending the year on a high note by defeating the visiting Elmira Jackals (20-13-0-0) 5-3 on New Year’s Eve, the Jackals turned the tables on the Kalamazoo Wings (12-17-2-1) Saturday night, handing them their first loss of 2016 by a score of 5-4. The K-Wings were led by Tanner Sorenson, who scored two goals on the night. …

The longtime director of St. Joseph County’s special education services will retire in June, following a 34-year career that began as a school psychologist. Jay Raycraft has worked at St. Joseph County Intermediate School District the past three decades, first as a school psychologist, then as a special education supervisor and finally as head of countywide services for mentally and …

The Youth Advisory Council of the Sturgis Area Community Foundation granted more than $20,000 to the community this month in support of programs and projects that serve youth. Grant recipients include Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County, which will receive $10,000 to support a new home built in collaboration with Sturgis High School building trade students; Sturgis Youth for …

Sturgis was host to the Mexican Consulate Dec. 17, as Centro VIDA had received an invitation from Jesus Gutierrez Rodriguez, Community Affairs Diplomat of the Mexican Consulate of Detroit. The purpose of the meeting was to become informed of the needs of the Hispanic community in Sturgis and surrounding areas. Gutierrez met with Centro VIDA’s board to discuss the different …

Investigators from the Michigan State Police Fire Marshall’s office were back at the scene of a fire Tuesday that destroyed a home in the 13000 block of Riverside Drive in Constantine Township earlier this week. Authorities said the cause of the fire was accidental, possibly from a candle. Constantine firefighters were called to the home about 9:30 p.m. Sunday. First-arriving …

The start of a possible addition to the county courthouse, continued development of the county’s river trail concept and a potential upgrade to the animal-control facility are a few matters St. Joseph County government officials are looking toward in 2016. The opening of a Commission On Aging senior center in Sturgis early in the year also was recognized as another …