[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6491910,"mediaKeyId","5615241-1125a7a3b18c1759f365badbdbafa282","parentId",5615241,"title","County committee to form five working groups after EGLE presentation on waste and recycling","audioSeconds",58,"startMs",1454000,"endMs",1512000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5615241-1125a7a3b18c1759f365badbdbafa282&start=1454&end=1512","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5615241-1125a7a3b18c1759f365badbdbafa282/thumbnail_1454000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6491910/Berrien-County/Michigan/County-committee-to-form-five-working-groups-after-EGLE-presentation-on-waste-and-recycling","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6491910-747216f7a565deff1b1f5bbcfce1764d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775253233&Signature=IpcKwdeI56w-gTVyr-4IVzIKfKvRfT7-nD0~GdQVUwg6gWQ~eBKu0819FYcEvuBJTO7cZn52aRXQgbi4Dar7DV5FQBN9xVnlGd1xuakp69rKLlebbPFpGfO8GWuZLstacOWTfmZaRX8UFpmr3b2QmGpnba3tNnHFW9iQwBhyBiD143bROOmj8mI8xA0pmyhDClV~VJNXrtf4W9puBDiCZbTnNdzUrjFwyF2OLKZEpyiSo1QHkMU5CFvn6hUr2UksaYh~RImWZuQePYmD-YBATGeeDFl4GYUxVnjpXypzHQdXOaXsLg5G1P~FANE96siMbHE0sB86ZxaORE0BvdCIlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Berrien County MI ","date","2025-08-21T15:17:55.633Z","article","The Berrien County Material Management Planning Committee reported it received presentations from Orchard Hill Landfill and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). Following those presentations, the committee plans to create five working groups to advance solid‑waste and recycling policy.

Committee members described the planned working groups as: three regional working groups (one each for Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties) to coordinate across counties; a policy working group to research funding options, ordinances and long‑term policy to strengthen recycling and organics; and an education working group to develop public outreach and buy‑in for EGLE’s recommended practices.

The committee said the working groups will meet monthly or bimonthly and will include representatives from across the three counties. The committee encouraged commissioners and community members to volunteer for the working groups to maintain attendance and momentum.

Ending: The committee said it will circulate information and appointment processes, and that interested parties should contact the committee chair or Southwest Michigan Planning (press release author) for details.

(For clarity: EGLE was described in the meeting as \"Environmental Great Lakes and Energy,\" the state agency that provides guidance on solid‑waste and recycling programs.)","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","08 21 2025 Board of Commissioner Meetings","oneSentenceSummary","The Berrien County Material Management Planning Committee heard presentations from Orchard Hill Landfill and EGLE and will form five working groups, including three regional groups and policy and education teams, to advance recycling and organics programs.","taxTitle","Berrien County, Michigan","taxId",13478,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6491913,"Human services committee approves leave of absence, backs gun-safety grant and advances social media policy",83,1167000,1250000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5615241-1125a7a3b18c1759f365badbdbafa282&start=1167&end=1250","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5615241-1125a7a3b18c1759f365badbdbafa282/thumbnail_1167000.jpg","/articles/6491913/Berrien-County/Michigan/Human-services-committee-approves-leave-of-absence-backs-gun-safety-grant-and-advances-social-media-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6491913-58da027c61cd4f603abce108827dcc3d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775253233&Signature=S5hIBpCsquZfF33puyuX5OCFSWlPp~5baMvBRL874Ra~Jskw41b-e2pTF9eJagSxwuyK9sUGwOAmB48p9A6oa6s4tbYLyQ~UTdQ~kB6MypmudnO2YawTHMZqbVPlmSwccELtpBMNwi8IDnQ0Vmp03eUQqQ6Yc2hiiYv5LSUStryyZFJ47snChjqrVF3y2m-ac0Rmzk26JshG~jYFy0eOqmyT3Yw1uwKZhnOhq7l6YeA3QhpJYKzGa7jmRhwl5GEsjEQJ8sJH6En-5-Fl5sb~2VMLq1PLtHTp4xH763rpSpJW1oP087oLTnH1z3aRFgumXAravh5RTF5BXe3Cjs3sCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Berrien County human services committee reported several administrative approvals and program updates, including support for a firearm safety grant, approval of a leave of absence for a mental health authority member and movement of a social media policy toward formal consideration.

The committee approved a leave of absence for a member of the mental health authority who requested medical leave, and reported it is soliciting applicants to fill an existing vacancy on that authority. The committee also said it approved a commissioner per diem resolution and supported a firearm safety grant being submitted by the health department to purchase locks and secure gun storage devices.

Committee members discussed veteran services operations. The committee said the department will move from high‑roof vans to an SUV to transport residents to Battle Creek along I‑94; the committee reported the SUV is in Battle Creek being plated and will be ready for winter transport.

The committee received an update from corporate counsel on a draft social media policy and expects that policy to come to the full board at a subsequent meeting.

Ending: Committee members described these as administrative and programmatic items and did not record additional formal board votes on each item in the transcript excerpt; the human services committee will forward items such as the social media policy to the board for further action.","The human services committee reported approving a leave of absence for a mental health authority board member, supporting a firearm safety grant for locks and storage, and advancing a draft social media policy to the full board; veteran services will replace transport vans with an SUV for winter service.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6491919,"Finance committee schedules public hearings on two housing resolutions; flags audit and drain concerns",0,1064000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5615241-1125a7a3b18c1759f365badbdbafa282&start=1064&end=1064","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5615241-1125a7a3b18c1759f365badbdbafa282/thumbnail_1064000.jpg","/articles/6491919/Berrien-County/Michigan/Finance-committee-schedules-public-hearings-on-two-housing-resolutions-flags-audit-and-drain-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6491919-d81e9788ef88d828e862e8a9dabc7612/orig.mp4?Expires=1775253233&Signature=I1y-zwNchl4WOjpJlxoul-NExt5hC2SIIMCtM95Lmq7Ln2sNQrTs~bpRn0FnQBUFqeW2I32uMwoAnHAjZbpUukPHxUU4FEhCh1avwarhzCISqn6~xZu9~ikvW9~WElPqBAWy-La~GaC2QSHnRZjFnupgUG5aQhfiCHKZEkjlcmFmp0TetTLBSkxUDYnuSZVNEdFOM7hRu-nAB5s8aGevYxKWza8POX0Y3MEPeys4c7y7ad~7UOGBqRfvaVTsqqCoasvbhl25lD2QrUgOqizOUddySkE2X03SK-gh8PVz~ZqYh9rFzleLyQ-WMxKaCIwO9krEBY8XUjTtNFiWukOV7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Berrien County finance committee reported that two resolutions concerning housing — one from community development and one from the Land Bank — will be the subject of public hearings on Aug. 28 during the committee‑of‑the‑whole meeting. The committee said the hearings will allow commissioners to ask questions and receive public input on both proposals.

Committee members also discussed matters related to the county audit. The committee said it is working on action plans to produce a cleaner, smoother audit in the future and identified areas of continuing concern, including issues tied to the drain department and matters described as Act 51 concerns. Committee members said those topics will fall under the responsibilities of the incoming financial services director, whose search is underway and for whom candidates have been identified.

The committee also reported that some bids came back higher than budgeted for certain projects; departments were asked to provide memos explaining the circumstances when a single bid or an over‑budget response occurred. One waiver to the bid process, for a communications cable between the courthouse and jail, was signed and forwarded for execution; the committee said a memo would accompany that file.

Ending: Committee members emphasized follow‑up work for finance staff and the incoming financial services director to address audit items and to prepare for the public hearings on the housing resolutions.","The Berrien County finance committee reported two forthcoming public hearings on housing resolutions (community development and land bank) and discussed audit improvement needs, Act 51 concerns and the search for a new financial services director.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6491924,"Board approves minutes, consent calendar, payment resolution and a bid waiver",71,1024000,1095000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5615241-1125a7a3b18c1759f365badbdbafa282&start=1024&end=1095","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5615241-1125a7a3b18c1759f365badbdbafa282/thumbnail_1024000.jpg","/articles/6491924/Berrien-County/Michigan/Board-approves-minutes-consent-calendar-payment-resolution-and-a-bid-waiver","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6491924-41623ecd14781385d7ac37e0d81107ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1775253233&Signature=FOdjBIedHuDdbijrEEahokSbVSdI7c7Yhf1zh2UwSbBF6NnFo6S8CetYmGsWaGGMVzp90a8ip6Hea0jLgsQ9icTq2iz9IDBJ6jwHnWwNUbGYB4ZWrWNMRJdaQRxQT0IGPLAKgAT~EtgX~kyV39CjjS1sPACc84rWlbPwt-kWawTtz1rFyJXFYdwa1IWFOxm3ENV2weYIFXicNi-aQoqJD3N~9lmr0gkubzku3fj4ZoBuPLYKhUqubK-bDelj8SAh21ZCh3aC94X9BLmiQ2ZQuXo4u1FxVRlM~JsfUmCldJXIr-WR9H6iUmgyQ0VXTEfL17txBf4-kZZqectqSkoqmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Berrien County Board of Commissioners approved routine business items including minutes, the consent calendar, a resolution to pay bills and a waiver to bypass the competitive bidding process for a communications cable linking the courthouse and the jail.

Minutes: The board approved the minutes by voice vote during an early agenda item. There was no roll‑call tally recorded in the transcript beyond the chair’s confirmation that the motion carried.

Consent calendar: Commissioners approved the consent calendar by roll call after public comment; the clerk called the roll and commissioners responded in the affirmative. The transcript records the vote as carried with commissioners present and voting “yes.”

Payment resolution: Committee reports noted that one resolution taken earlier in the meeting authorized payment of bills; the finance committee reporter said that resolution had been handled that day.

Bid waiver: The finance committee reported one waiver that bypassed the standard bid process for a communications cable between the courthouse and the jail; the committee recorded that the waiver was signed to permit the work.

Ending: The items approved were routine administrative actions; no further debate or amendments were recorded on the floor in the transcript.","During the meeting the Berrien County Board approved minutes, the consent calendar by roll call, a resolution to pay bills and a waiver to bypass competitive bidding for a courthouse‑to‑jail communications cable.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6491928,"Berrien County honors dispatchers, first responders and two citizens for July rescue",201,172000,373000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5615241-1125a7a3b18c1759f365badbdbafa282&start=172&end=373","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5615241-1125a7a3b18c1759f365badbdbafa282/thumbnail_172000.jpg","/articles/6491928/Berrien-County/Michigan/Berrien-County-honors-dispatchers-first-responders-and-two-citizens-for-July-rescue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6491928-c0fb809892cd07930982a9a39bfff844/orig.mp4?Expires=1775253233&Signature=CoE2frLUruJcTdHcxBg5pqCsfyWDTBp--eJXyE4DLbF82aEx6pSgQzECOIzF~JgbZoPjcwnHfQ8Tuf1fatlr37JJHjkQPheXWu1fCI4nUTZg9Y1SDDNDC3e2HoZOjeofdoNW6zRjlcH-6oZGgvOuwoOmFzVdy5oSY-hleMTvx4wC84hK7SU7oHarlKqMg4laksN~lX4ZPTnDft6aQqddJj~Lb3LAFJqmIEFNlz-BqZV6M6te1wpUKmq3tFILoqlap72aJviv4RQWX6qMF5fCdKdmqW3Xaw98OFUbvAWXO1Z246emgXFLVLD~3btdCNnNfYCsEbb8dNR6XOuOyLQTag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Berrien County Board of Commissioners presented life‑saving awards to 9‑1‑1 dispatcher Cassie Pointer, emergency responders and two citizens on the record after a July 10 incident in which a man, identified only as Lincoln in the meeting, was electrocuted and went into cardiac arrest.

Caitlin Samsel introduced the recognition, saying the awards honor the dispatch supervisor, field responders and citizens who worked together to save a life. Samsel singled out Pointer for using the emergency medical dispatch protocol to recognize agonal breathing and to direct callers to perform CPR until medics arrived. Samsel asked the board to recognize Great Lakes Medical first responder Matthew Quinn, Medic 1 EMT Mindy Reeves and citizens Nate Tetreault and Tyler Boehm.

The board and meeting attendees applauded the recipients. Lincoln, who survived and attended the meeting, addressed the board and those who assisted him. “I’m just so grateful to all of you,” he said. He identified Tetreault and Boehm as “my angels” and said the experience gave him “a new lease on life.”

Samsel, a presenter at the meeting, described the event as an uncommon but welcome outcome for dispatch staff, noting that 9‑1‑1 personnel do not often learn the final outcomes of calls. She thanked dispatch staff, Medic 1 crews and partner agencies for their response. The presenter also acknowledged Michigan State Police and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office for responding to the priority call.

The board paused briefly to permit photographs and to allow the honorees and their families to leave if needed. The commission chair and other commissioners praised the actions of the citizens and responders.

The recognition was presented during the communications portion of the meeting; no formal board action was required or taken to confer the awards during the public record portion.

Ending: The presentation concluded with thanks from the board and a request that attendees remain if they wished. No follow-up motions or formal votes were recorded in the transcript regarding the awards.","At a Berrien County Board of Commissioners meeting, officials presented life‑saving awards to 9‑1‑1 dispatcher Cassie Pointer, first responders and two citizens whose CPR helped a man survive electrocution on July 10.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County committee to form five working groups after EGLE presentation on waste and recycling

Human services committee approves leave of absence, backs gun-safety grant and advances social media policy

Finance committee schedules public hearings on two housing resolutions; flags audit and drain concerns

Board approves minutes, consent calendar, payment resolution and a bid waiver

Berrien County honors dispatchers, first responders and two citizens for July rescue