County Commission

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners last week agreed to a modification regarding its lease agreement with renters at the Meyer Broadway Park house. Tenants Dan and Sarah Hershberger have requested use of an attached, two-car garage known as Dimmick Lodge. The Hershbergers said they wish to park their vehicles inside the structure, and have offered to pay an additional …

The congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Three Rivers-Centreville will be a part of a milestone service Sunday, August 11. The Three Rivers-based church is observing its 175th anniversary with a variety of observances. The first is the 11 a.m. service Sunday, August 11. Then, an open house is set for Sept. 28, when historic artifacts and documents will …

Members of the Animal Rescue Fund of St. Joseph County have appealed to county officials for greater enforcement of animal-abuse and cruelty cases. During Tuesday’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting, three members of the agency brought to the attention of commissioners a pair of situations in the county where abuse and cruelty had been documented. Cheryl Strohm , …

Members of the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging have agreed to urge the county’s board of commissioners to move forward with plans for a proposed senior center in Sturgis. During their meeting last week, COA board members discussed the proposed Sturgis location and agreed it is needed as a replacement for the current facility on North Jefferson Street. County …

An audit report of its 2012 fiscal year was the primary matter of business Tuesday before the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Dave Fisher, representing Jackson-based Rehmann CPA, said based on his company’s review, the county remains on solid financial ground. He noted the county’s largest operating fund had revenue in excess of $13.6 million last fiscal year. Its …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners appears likely to continue meeting twice a month, not one time monthly as proposed by a county official. Following extensive discussion, the five-member panel during Friday’s committee of the whole meeting decided to keep the twice-a-month meeting schedule intact. County administrator Patrick Yoder had suggested the once-a-month schedule. Commissioners did, however, recommend eliminating …

St. Joseph County Administrator Patrick Yoder has proposed the county board reduce its number of meetings from twice a month to once monthly. He is proposing the first Tuesday of the month; the current schedule calls for commissioners to meet the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Following last week’s commission meeting, Yoder said if the once-a-month meeting schedule …

The Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County is seeking citizens at large to fill a pair of positions on its board. With the recent resignations of David Pueschel and Betty Massey, the 12-member panel is short two representatives. Pueschel’s term expires in March 2014 and Massey’s in March 2015. Prospective board members must be St. …

A structural overhaul of St. Joseph County’s 40-year-old courts building or the possibility of a new courts building altogether could be options raised following a study of the building. Added on to the south end of the original courthouse in 1974, the courts building will be analyzed by a Benton Harbor firm to offer its input on the issue. County …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has endorsed submission of the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) FY 2014-2016 Multi-Year Plan to the Michigan Commission on Services to the Aging for final review and approval. The action came Tuesday (June 18) following a presentation by Laura Sutter, AAA Coordinator with the Branch-St. Joseph Area Agency on Aging (IIIC) housed with …