Sturgis Hospital is taking the next step to converting to a rural emergency hospital model. Jeremy Gump, hospital board president, told the Sturgis City Commission last week that as of 7 a.m. today, the hospital will cease admitting inpatients. The announcement was made to hospital employees April 25, Gump said. Emergency services and lab services will continue, Gump said. In …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that occurred within the past week in Branch County’s Coldwater Township. Investigators were called to the 600 block of Marshall Road, where the victim stated a blue, 14-inch Cobalt chainsaw, and a red, 14-inch Craftsman chainsaw were stolen from a barn. The incident occurred between April 23 and April 27.

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has received reports of cases of Lyme Disease within its three-county jurisdiction. Health officer Rebecca Burns said the arrival of spring and warmer temperatures experienced in March and early April tend to cause ticks to become more active. Ticks will remain active until fall or when temperatures are consistently below 40 degrees. A bite …

St. Joseph County Bar Association has announced the recipient of its annual “Liberty Bell” award. Kelly Hostetler will be recognized next week as the 2023 award winner. Hostetler has been executive director of the St. Joseph County United Way since September 1998. She was involved in the merger of the Sturgis United Fund and the Three Rivers Community Chest to …

Michigan State Police Troopers are investigating the theft of a log splitter from a location in Calhoun County’s Burlington Township. The incident took place between March 1 and April 24 from the 7000 block of N Drive South. The stolen item is described as a Huskee brand log splitter.

The annual Robert Wood Johnson Foundation national county health rankings for Michigan are out with a wide gap between members of the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Health Agency. Health officer Rebecca Burns said according to the statistics, Hillsdale ranks 32nd, Branch is 57th and St. Joseph 63rd. According to the statistics, Hillsdale, overall, is the healthiest in the tri-county area, Burns said. …

I am “Grayson.”  I am a grey Lab mix, male about one year old.  I am partially housetrained,  I am very sweet and I love to give kisses.  I am quiet and a bit timid at first.  I am hoping more butterflies arrive soon.  My docket number is 54748, at the St. Joseph County Animal Control Shelter located at 652 …

The Colon Chamber of Commerce is hosting a networking event for area business owners next month. The May 11 event, being promoted as the Colon Chamber Open House Mixer, starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Grand Magic Theatre on East State Street in downtown Colon. Organizers said anyone who owns an area business is invited but should still RSVP. Participants …

Years of meticulous budgeting and vigilant planning finally bore fruit this week, as Village President Tim Frisbie and council members participated in a ceremonial groundbreaking for Vicksburg’s new municipal building. Located on a parcel just north of the village water tower on North Richardson Street, the $2.5 million complex is expected to be open by February 2024. A parade of …

A new festival is scheduled to come to Sturgis, centering on food and a celebration of the spring season. The Sturgis Spring Food and Flower Fest is set for 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday in the city’s downtown district. Event organizers said downtown North Street will be dedicated to a “Tastings of the Great Lakes” row, with the North Street …