The return of New Year’s Eve Free Ride Home kept nearly two dozen potentially drunken drivers off St. Joseph County roads last weekend. The free service, offered over a six-hour period starting at 8 p.m. Friday, drew 20 riders. Rides were provided by the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority. Agency director Allen Balog said the service was worth the expense, …

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has notified Van Buren/Cass District Health Department that the Omicron variant has been identified in a Van Buren County resident. Health Officer Danielle Persky said the Omicron variant will likely spread more easily. Though, how easily Omicron spreads compared to the Delta variant, remains unknown, she said. Two new, free rapid antigen …

November’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by three-tenths of a percent from October. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget was released recently. It showed St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate fell from 4.3 percent in October to 4 percent in November. The rate was 5.8 percent 12 months earlier. Meanwhile, Cass County …

Sturgis firefighters responded to two separate house fires on the same day last week. Officials said the department was summoned around 5 a.m. Friday to the 500 block of Michigan Avenue for a report of a structure fire. Arriving units found flames coming from the attic area. However, firefighters were able to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a one-car crash that occurred last week in Mottville Township. Authorities were dispatched to an area on U.S. 12 near Burke Road, where the driver of a car lost control of his vehicle. Witnesses told investigators that the driver of the at-fault vehicle was traveling east on U.S. 12 when he attempted to overtake …

A new sign will soon be placed in front of Sturgis Department of Public Safety. Sturgis Planning Commission members recently approved a request for the sign, which will reflect a rebranding of the police and fire stations to the department of public safety. The city’s design-review committee has reviewed the proposed signage for the North Nottawa Street site. The sign, …

The Kalamazoo Wings (15-10-0-0) sent 2021 out on a high note and ushered in 2022 in grand fashion as they defeated the visiting Tulsa Oilers (14-11-0-1) in both of their games this past weekend. To kick off the holiday weekend, the two teams battled in the K-Wings Annual New Year’s Eve Game at Wings Event Center. Following the first twenty …

I want to wish you a “Berry” Happy New Year.  I would like to be in a new home for 2022.  I am called “Berry” because my coat is kinda berry colored with some creme.  I am about ten months old.  I am a female and I am only 38 pounds.  I am housetrained and I get along with other …

Three people, including a 5-year-old boy, were injured in a two-vehicle collision Monday in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 4:30 p.m. to the intersection of U.S. 12 and Baldwin Prairie Road. Investigators said 30-year-old Crystal Adkins of White Pigeon was driving east on U.S. 12 when a southbound vehicle on Baldwin Prairie Road, …

Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has announced a change in its schedule for COVID-19 testing locally. The free testing will be held 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday at its Marshall Road location in Coldwater and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday at its Three Rivers site on Hill Street. Event organizers said the tests are recommended for people who …