By DEBRA HAIGHT
ST. JOSEPH – Berrien County officials celebrated good news at their county board meeting last week. They honored a young girl who helped her mother during a medical emergency and learned of a county department receiving a regional award. News also came last week of a probation agent who won a state award.
Last week’s Berrien County Board of Commissioners meeting began with a tribute to seven year old Tymella Holloway. Berrien County 9-1-1 Director Caitlin Sampsell told commissioners how Tymella stayed calm when she had to call 9-1-1 Aug. 8 to get help for her mother.
“We want to recognize her for her bravery and the service she did for her mother on the 8th when her mother had
a medical emergency,” Sampsell said. “She was able to call, provide their address and give her name and phone number. The EMS people were impressed with how she handled herself and the 9-1-1 dispatcher recommended her for the honor.”
Sampsell presented Tymella with a bag of goodies to honor her for her action and bravery in helping her mother. The goodie bag contained items from Berrien County 9-1-1, Medic 1, the county parks and health departments and the Michigan State Police.
Tymella also received a certificate of appreciation from County Board Chairman Mac Elliott. “You are a brave young lady,” he told her. “You even took time to spell your name, you were clearheaded, sharp and looking out for mom. I can’t image a parent being more proud of a child than your mom is right now.”
Commissioners also learned that the Berrien County Road Department has been given the Graham Woodhouse Award for 2020. That award which is named for a former Dowagiac mayor is given each year by the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission to entities who promote intergovernmental cooperation.
The Road Department was one of several entities involved with the Paw Paw River Water Trail Project. Other entities include nine townships, seven cities and villages, a federally recognized tribe and Van Buren County.
The project entails a number of efforts from establishing and maintaining water trails to erecting signage along the river to help guide and protect people. The signage was made possible by donations by non-governmental organizations and was put in place by the two road departments.
Past winners of the award included the Lakes to Grapes Corridor Wayfinding Program, the McCoy Creek Watershed Improvement Project, the Cass County Master Plan, Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township M-139 improvement projects, the Indiana-Michigan River Valley Trail and the Sink Road Bridge Replacement Project.
In another piece of good news, the Michigan Department of Corrections announced in a tweet last week that Sherron Rimpson has been named the Michigan Department of Corrections 2021 Canice L. Dunn Parole/Probation Agent of the Year.
The department recognized Rimpson for “his outstanding work ethic and his unwavering commitment to those under his supervision.”
“Agent Rimpson embodies the mission of the department, making a positive impact on his colleagues and those he serves,” Michigan Department of Corrections Director Heidi Washington said. “He sets the standard for others within the department through his compassion and his patience. He goes above and beyond in all that he does and I am honored to have him on our team.”
The award is named in memory of Candice L. Dunn, an Oakland County probation agent who won the award in 2017. She was killed in a car accident the night she was recognized at a MDOC employee appreciation banquet.
Rimpson began his career with the MDOC in 2008. His efforts in the Berrien County MDOC office have included developing a binder of information listing names of those in leadership, local attorneys and judges for everyone in his office. He also works with clients to get them assistance and help.
“I appreciate the recognition; however, this is just a testament of all the hard work that’s done here in Berrien County,” Agent Rimpson said. “This is a great team; I lean on everybody for assistance, this is an honor for the entire Berrien County Probation team.”
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