County Commission

Twenty-three people were recognized Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners for their milestone anniversaries as county employees. Leading the group was former clerk Pattie Bender, acknowledged for 45 years of employment before she retired June 30. Next was deputy county clerk Sandy Bowen for 40 years, followed by victim services coordinator Linda Baker for three decades of …

A 20-year agreement with the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency was approved last week by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. The agreement is for the agency’s St. Joseph County-based site, at 1110 Hill St., in Three Rivers. As part of the arrangement, the health agency will pay $1 a year to the county for rent. Also, either party …

A pair of employment agreements was approved last week by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. The hours for Ann Happel and Brian McDaniel were increased to 22 1/2 hours each as part of their work with the County College Access Network. They previously both worked 15 hours a week, but their workload was increased to cover the duties …

St. Joseph County’s board of commissioners last week agreed to extend its auditing services for one year with a Jackson-based firm. The county and Rehmann Robson concluded a three-year contract with the company’s performance of the county’s 2014 audit. County administrator Pat Yoder said finance director Joni Smith recommended the county renew its contract with the company for one year …

A pair of local township supervisors returned before the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Tuesday and asked its members to consider sparing funds for improvements to local roadways. Appearing with a pumpkin-shaped Halloween bucket modified as a collection vessel – with “Road Fund” printed on its side – Florence Township Supervisor Gordon Evilsizor said he is under the impression …

Fourteen items, including two employment agreements and a pair of requests to fill vacancies, await the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this afternoon. The agenda for the 5 o’clock meeting also includes memorandums of understanding for SCAN renewals with the cities of Sturgis and Three Rivers, acceptance of a bid to demolish a structure at 205 Dean St., and …

Supporters of a proposed multi-field sports complex in the Three Rivers area cleared a sizable obstacle Tuesday, when members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners allocated financial support toward the concept. With the exception of Robin Baker, commissioners agreed to provide $2.8 million of $4 million the sports complex steering committee originally sought to purchase additional land and …

St. Joseph County county’s parks system is about to add an unprecedentedly scenic property to its portfolio. Members of the county commission Tuesday agreed to the $330,000 purchase of a six-acre parcel that includes 1,000 feet of shoreline in Lockport Township. The parcel is north of the Langley Covered Bridge and on the east side of Covered Bridge Road. Parks …

A longtime county employee familiar to animal lovers in St. Joseph County has announced his retirement. Animal control director Tom Miller is retiring Oct. 20 following a 28-year career with the Centreville-based agency. Human resources director Teresa Doehring plans to seek approval from county commissioners to begin searching for a new director The 60-year-old Miller currently makes about $50,000 annually. …

Leaders of a steering committee behind the proposed development of a 17-field sports complex in the Three Rivers area have a little work to do if they wish to receive a financial allocation from St. Joseph County. The matter of funding for property acquisition was discussed by St. Joseph County commissioners during their executive committee meeting Thursday. County administrator Pat …