County Information

Officials from the Mendon School Foundation announced this week that a retired Mendon Middle School teacher who passed away last summer left the foundation $1.7 million. Math teacher Jan Hollenbeck, who spent 27 years with the district, left the money with the stipulation that it be used for scholarship funds to support Mendon High School graduates who go on to …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department responded Monday morning to a methamphetamine dump site by Big Swan Creek in the 62500 block of Needham Road, in Burr Oak Township. A backpack containing meth waste and a burn site that resembled remains of a campfire were discovered at the site. Officials concluded three one-pot meth labs was produced at the location. …

Steve Todd, health officer for the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Health Agency, said Tuesday that a supply of free flu shots remains available at St. Joseph County’s Three Rivers-based site. Todd told members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners that the three-county agency received about 400 doses of flu vaccine. The supply it has on hand in Three Rivers remains …

A pair of employees from the Three Rivers Clean Water Plant were recently recognized for their dedication and longevity for reporting weather observations. Twenty-year veteran James Shears and Joseph Madaras, a 15-year employee, were acknowledged with plaques issued by Brentley Lothamer, representing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In addition, plant director James Baker accepted recognition from Lothamer for Three …

The position of St. Joseph County treasurer was made official Friday during a brief ceremony, when County Clerk Pattie Bender officiated a swearing-in ceremony for Judie Ratering. A 52-year-old Park Township resident, Ratering succeeds Phyllis Bainbridge, who retired last week due to health reasons. Her remaining term, which runs through the end of the year, will be filled by Ratering. …

Four people who allegedly assaulted and stole four pizzas from a delivery driver last week were arraigned in St. Joseph County District Court Thursday. According to Three Rivers Police and St. Joseph County court officials, charged with one count of unarmed robbery are Three Rivers residents David Compean, 19; Tyler J. White, 17; and 18-year-olds Jerrica Homan and Darrin Tullos. …

A Michigan State Police investigator formerly assigned to the agency’s post in White Pigeon was recognized for his work in a high-profile murder case. Aaron Steensma was given MSP’s Meritorious Service Award during a ceremony last week in Lansing. The award was issued for Steensma’s work in the case of Colon-area resident Venus Stewart, whose estranged husband, Doug, was sentenced …

The Sturgis Department of Public Safety took four Sturgis residents into custody after raiding a house where production of methamphetamine was allegedly taking place. The four people arrested range in age from 18 to 57. Police said they executed a search warrant around 4 p.m. Wednesday at a residence in the 400 block of Walker Street. Arrested were: a 57-year-old …

The Burr Oak Village Council this week hired a part-time police officer. The employment of Sturgis resident Steve Johnson, 44, became effective Wednesday. Pay for his anticipated 20 to 25 hours of work per week is still being negotiated by the village council. Johnson also works as a public safety officer in Benton Harbor and as a member of Tri-Township …

A press conference has been scheduled for 10 o’clock Monday morning by St. Joseph County Probate Court Judge Tom Shumaker regarding a new, proactive drug prevention and educational program centering on St. Joseph County’s teen population. The program is a collaboration between St. Joseph County police agencies, in partnership with the Prosecutor’s Office, Juvenile Court, Community Mental Health Substance Abuse …