Dan Schaetzle

The St. Joseph County Council-passed zoning change would force solar developers to compensate property owners within a mile if their property values decline after a solar farm starts operating.

Republican Dan Schaetzle's bill, passed by the St. Joseph County Council July 8, requires solar farm developers to compensate property owners within a mile if their property values decline after the solar panels are installed.

St. Joseph County Council President Dan Schaetzle insists he remains a Republican but the local and now state party disagree, saying he's no longer "in good standing" for at least two years.

St. Joseph County Council Republicans say the county's $35 million in cash reserves aren't a "slush fund" for deficit spending as state-mandated property tax cuts reduce county revenue next year by a projected $5 million

A St. Joseph County judge has given Sheriff Bill Redman until March 17 to respond to Todd Rokita's lawsuit alleging he's not cooperating with federal immigration enforcement agents.

The St. Joseph County Council Tuesday night will consider a resolution formally giving the council president power to remove meeting agenda items.

Republican Jamie O'Brien files to replace Schaetzle just over a month after a Schaetzle-led coalition hired someone to replace him as council attorney.

Republican St. Joseph County Council President Dan Schaetzle finds himself without a party after sharing power with Democrats.

St. Joseph County Republican Party Vice-Chair Marvin "Joe" Layne faces a misdemeanor battery charge following the November incident in Mishawaka.

Democrats will chair the St. Joseph County Council's four standing committees, each containing Republican majorities, and members will be assigned to sit near each other and share office space.