County Information

Bats test positive for rabies

Three bats, two in St. Joseph County and one in Branch County, have tested positive for rabies, Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency Prevention Services Director Yvonne Atwood said last week. Atwood said more than a dozen bats have been tested this year. Six bats from Hillsdale County were tested, but none came back positive for the viral disease of mammals …

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Millage renewal approved for Transportation Authority

St. Joseph County residents appeared to have no problem continuing to help fund the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority. By a comfortable margin Tuesday, a request to renew one-third of a mill was approved in the county-wide vote. As a result, the Three Rivers-based agency will continue to receive about $650,000 annually over the next four years. Consistent with renewal …

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Nelson wins Democratic primary

St. Joseph County’s former equalization director will be the Democrat opponent to face Republican incumbent Dennis Allen in the November general election. Nottawa Township resident Judy Nelson topped Tim Carls in Tuesday’s primary election. She earned 410 votes while Carls claimed 310 in what turned out to be a high-profile election for the right to represent the party in November. …

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Czajkowski wins primary

Dan Czajkowski said he still has plenty to learn despite nearly two years as a county commissioner. The 62-year-old White Pigeon resident will have another 24 months of experience to gain after voters in District 4 backed him over Republican challenger Joshua Goodrich, a Constantine Township resident. Unofficial numbers show the incumbent earned 534 votes to Goodrich’s 370 endorsements. Czajkowski …

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Man arrested after stabbing incident

A Texas man was arrested late Thursday after a stabbing incident at the Meijer gas station in Sturgis. Jaime Rubalcada, 25, of Harlington, was arrested on a charge of felonious assault. Sturgis police were dispatched to the location just after 11:30 p.m. Upon arrival, police noticed a man with a stab wound to his hand. He was taken to Sturgis Hospital …

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COA Board supports member reappointment

Members of the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging Advisory Board agreed last week to move forward with a declaration of support to get board member Don Eaton reappointed to the board. Wednesday’s vote came a day after the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners approved five of six reappointments to the COA board, excluding Eaton. Tom Stoll, COA director, …

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TR sports complex – Commissioners delay vote

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners agreed Tuesday to delay voting on a detachment petition tied to the development of a multi-field sports complex in Three Rivers. Commissioners discussed the issue at last week’s executive committee meeting and agreed Tuesday to pull the matter from their agenda, at the recommendation of legal counsel. The petition was filed last month …

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COA board appointments

Five people were reappointed to the St. Joseph County Commission On Aging Board during Tuesday’s county commission meeting. Returning to serve two-year terms are: Jon Withers of Florence Township, Stephen Boland of Klinger Lake, Margaret Shultz of Lockport Township and Ed Stemen of Fawn River Township. In addition, Joe Heivilin was re-appointed to the 11-member board, but his term is …

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River cleanups continue

A smaller-than-expected group of 14 volunteers took part in the fourth river cleanup of the season. Sponsored by the St. Joseph County Conservation District, Monday’s cleanup took place on a mile-and-a-half stretch of the Portage River in Park Township. The effort started at Parkville Road and concluded at North Fisher Lake Road. For the first time in the agency’s eight-season …

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Sturgis man injured by gunshot

A 38-year-old Sturgis man was grazed by a gunshot last week at his residence. Sturgis police personnel were called at 12:43 a.m. Friday to the 300 block of South Clay Street in response to shots fired into a residence. The victim was grazed in his head and treated at the scene before he was transported to Sturgis Hospital. No details …

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