Thursday’s meeting of the board of the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph County Health Agency never started after a small group of audience members refused to comply with COVID-19 safety requirements for entering the building. Most were there to object to a new contract for Health Officer Rebecca Burns, who had instituted mask and quarantine orders for schools until the state legislature banned …

I am ready for Santa’s milk and cookies.  I have my bib on.  I am “Dixie”,  I am two years old and have been spayed.  I have been here awhile and I would be so happy to be in my new home by Christmas.  My docket number is 51375, at the St. Joseph County Animal Control Shelter located at 652 …

Colon Township Library has announced it was the recipient of a $2,000 grant from the Branch County Foundation. Library treasurer Martha Graham said the competition was based on number of donors. The library won the grant money as it was the recipient of the most donors on Nov. 30 – Giving Tuesday, Graham said. Donations and the grant money will …

Holly Lynn Havens, age 46, a woman of faith and courage, passed away Monday, December 6, 2021 at Three Rivers Health. She was born February 10, 1975 in Three Rivers, the daughter of Michael and Jackie (Oswalt) Havens. As a young girl, Holly loved riding horses, and competed on a national circuit where she won many awards. She attended White …

Michigan’s COVID-19 hospitalizations reached a new high Wednesday, exceeding the previous record for the fifth straight time that the state has reported data. Nearly 4,700 patients were in the hospital statewide amid a fourth surge in infections. The roughly 4,400 hospitalized adults with confirmed cases was at the highest point in the 21-month coronavirus pandemic and 150 more than a …

All Michigan drivers with auto insurance will receive a $400 per-vehicle refund next spring, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and a top regulator said Tuesday. Their announcement came more than a month after the governor requested the checks by citing a multibillion-dollar surplus in the Michigan Catastrophic Care Association fund. The account, which reimburses insurers medical and other costs for people seriously injured in …

Bill Warren Moyer, age 75, of Mendon, died peacefully at home and surrounded by his family on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021. He was born in Three Rivers Hospital on Oct. 30, 1946 the son of Robert and Betty (Locey) Moyer and was a lifetime resident of Mendon. He graduated from Mendon High School with the class of 1964, and attended …

Willa Mae Yoder, age 89, of Gobles, passed away Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at her home. She was born November 12, 1932 in LaGrange County, Indiana, the daughter of Daniel and Inez (Helvie) Parker. Willa graduated from Springfield Township High School in Mongo, Indiana with the Class of 1951. On February 1, 1952 she married Ernest Yoder in Valentine, Indiana. …

Steven D. King, age 31, a lifelong resident of Sturgis, passed away Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021 at the Sturgis Hospital Emergency Room. He was born January 10, 1990 in Sturgis to the late Roy D. and Carolyn R. (Hill) King Jr. Surviving are two sisters: Heather Oropeza of Sturgis, and Shandi (Brian) Patterson of Tennessee, Aunt: Christina (John) Yeary, Uncles: …

St. Joseph County Administrator Teresa Doehring has agreed to a one-year contract renewal. During Tuesday’s board of commissioners meeting, county officials approved a contract for 2022. Doehring, 47, is completing her fourth year as the highest-ranking, non-elected employee in county government. A lifelong Mendon-area resident, Doehring said she is grateful commissioners think enough of her to keep her on board …