Van Buren/Cass District Health Department is recommending vaccination against influenza and COVID-19, as the agency is dealing with a surge in cases. With the simultaneous threat of these respiratory illnesses, vaccination is a critical tool to protect public health and prevent overwhelming the healthcare system, department officials said. In recent weeks, Van Buren and Cass County have experienced a notable …

Sturgis Bancorp has announced that Eric Eishen is retiring after 45 years of service. The announcement of Eishen’s retirement marks the completion of a planned succession process that began in July 2022, when Eishen turned over day-to-day operations of the community bank to Jason Hyska as chief executive officer and Matt Scheske as president and chief operating officer. Eishen, who …

When is it going to warm up.  All of us here can only stand to be out 5 minutes or so.  Please come adopt me.  I am “ACE”, a black and white lab/mix, male, about 10 months old.  I am housetrained, I get along with other dogs and kids.  Being a puppy I still need some training.  I love to …

A Lockport Township man who braved freezing waters to help a 22-month-old boy from a partially submerged car last week in the Portage River was commended Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman, Capt. T.J. Baker and Deputy Nathan Hewitt recognized Paul Leverance for his quick and heroic action Jan. 18 at the South Fisher Lake …

Constantine Village Manager Mark Honeysett said a boil-water advisory for a portion of the municipality has been lifted. Honeysett said three different samples were collected between Monday and Tuesday. After the samples were analyzed and returned negative for contamination, it was determined the boil-water advisory was no longer necessary. The advisory was issued following a water-main break that occurred late …

Two people have been charged following their arraignment last week. Colon resident Nathaniel Parsons, 43, and 44-year-old Jaclyn Gsell, of Mendon, were arrested, arraigned and released on bond Friday following the execution of a search warrant at 730 East State St. in Colon. According to Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Matt Berry, troopers, the MSP Emergency Support Team and members …

A Sturgis woman was charged with larceny and larceny of livestock after she allegedly stole a horse and buggy over the weekend in Sturgis. Sturgis police responded at 5:30 p.m. Saturday to Walmart on South Centerville Road in response to a report of the theft. Authorities said a truck driver in the Walmart parking lot observed the 31-year-old suspect enter …

St. Joseph County United Way is overseeing a fund to assist a Three Rivers family who suffered substantial loss in a recent fire. Agency officials said the Wanda Lewis Family Catastrophic Fund has been set up in response to the family’s need for basic items, including clothing. Their residence was destroyed by fire Thursday last week. The family of seven …

St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department recently hired its first deputy trained through a government-paid incentive. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards grant is in its second year and has a pool of more than $20 million to share with qualifying agencies. MCOLES provides qualifying agencies $24,000 to cover the estimated $15,000 it costs for a …

Oliver Knuth, volunteer coordinator with the Kalamazoo Salvation Army, said the agency’s after-school program is in desperate need of volunteers. Knuth said families have had to be turned away due to a shortage of help. He said volunteers for the Salvation Army’s after-school program have the opportunity to be a lifeline for Kalamazoo children. The After-School Program is available 3 …