County Information

Courts building renovation continues

The estimated $7.7 million renovation of the county courts building highlights what to expect from St. Joseph County government in the coming 12 months. The 50-year-old courts building houses circuit, district and probate/family court operations. The courts building is at the south end of the courthouse campus and connected to the county’s historic courthouse by an interior breezeway. A portion …

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Decrease in unemployment rate – November

November’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by more than a full percentage point from October. Figures from the monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget show St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate fell from 4.6 percent in October to 3.5 percent in November. The county’s November rate from a year earlier was an even …

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Household hazardous waste contract for SJC residents

St. Joseph County officials agreed to renew a contract with Kalamazoo County for year-round disposal of household hazardous waste. During their monthly board meeting Dec. 19, commissioners OK’d a proposal to continue the arrangement that started in May. County administrator Teresa Doehring said the service is provided to St. Joseph County residents and allows for drop-off of hard-to-dispose-of items such …

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Commissioners make board appointments

St. Joseph County commissioners made a number of appointments and re-appointments during their monthly meeting last week. First, appointments were made to the county’s Planning Commission: Greg Dohm, Kathy Pangle, Robert Horton and Rick Shaffer were tapped to serve on the panel. Next, commissioners agreed to appoint Teresa Doehring, Bronwyn Drost, Andrew Kuk and Jessica Miller to the county’s Brownfield …

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Langley Covered Bridge – Project update

Langley Covered Bridge will probably not re-open until early January, possibly up to three weeks later than originally anticipated. Garrett Myland, engineer and assistant manager, said the delay is not the result of one specific issue. Rather, the work that needs to be done is being completed in a methodic and thorough manner, he said. Myland recently discussed the current …

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SJC Sheriff’s Dept – Special enforcement project

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is working alongside the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department to decrease impaired driving. Starting Friday and continuing through Jan. 1, sheriff’s deputies will be participating in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement period. ln support of the law enforcement community’s dedication to protecting the lives of local residents, …

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Appointments made to SJC boards

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners made appointments and a re-appointment during their meeting this week. The board re-appointed commissioners Ken Malone and Rick Shaffer, and appointed John Kroggel, to the county’s Parks and Recreation Commission. Meanwhile, Ivin Riddle was re-appointed to the Department of Health and Human Services board. Also, Amanda Miller was appointed to the Pivotal Board. Pivotal …

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Donations for homeless awareness month

November is homeless awareness month and a local entity is staging a collection of personal-hygiene products to benefit St. Joseph County’s own. The drive – which concludes Nov. 30 – is being overseen by the St. Joseph County Housing Task Force to help stock hygiene closets at UCAP in Three Rivers, Building Hope Free Store in Centreville and Friday Friendship …

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Fresh Food distribution schedule

Here’s a look at November’s Fresh Food Distribution in St. Joseph County. First Presbyterian Church on Lakeview Avenue in Sturgis will kick off the first of November’s six local distributions. It is scheduled for 4 p.m. Nov. 9. Seventh-Day Adventist Church, east of Centreville on M-86 hosts, the next distribution. It will take place at 4 p.m. Nov. 14. Two …

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Langley Covered Bridge will close for restoration

After years of budgeting and several months of planning, St. Joseph County Road Commission officials are preparing for a months-long closure of the Langley Covered Bridge. Agency manager John Lindsey said the county icon will undergo the most comprehensive restoration in its history starting this month and lasting through the end of the year. Lindsey said the work is expected …

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