The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging will offer group exercise classes at both its enrichment centers starting this week. COA director Pam Riley said sessions will begin Wednesday. Class size is limited, so registration is required. COA’s phone number is 279-8083. Masks are required at all times, and there will be floor markings and other signage to ensure social …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a breaking-and-entering complaint originating from an incident in Sturgis Township. Investigators were called to the 25000 block of U.S. 12, where a barn was entered illegally. The victim said the incident occurred between Oct. 1 and Dec. 1. An air compressor and two Stihl chainsaws were reported stolen.

Two local high school football teams fell short over the weekend in their quest to make it to the state championship game. Playing at Tecumseh High School, Constantine lost a tough contest against Clinton. The Falcons came up short in their Division 6 game, 40-to-6. Meanwhile, in a Division 7 matchup in Fenton, Schoolcraft suffered a 36-to-21 defeat to New …

Velda V. Hooley, age 102, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday morning, January 14, 2021 at Thurston Woods Villa in Sturgis. She was born January 24, 1918 in Elkhart County, Indiana daughter of the late Landon “L.J” and Luella (Johns) Pletcher. Mrs. Hooley’s early life was spent in Middlebury, where she was a graduate of Middlebury High School with the class …

Sheriff’s deputies arrested a Constantine man this week after he led law-enforcement officials on a pursuit that concluded in Sturgis. Investigators said deputies attempted to stop the vehicle after it was observed driving left of center around 10 p.m. Wednesday. Its driver failed to stop and instead sped from Fawn River Township into Sturgis. The 22-year-old driver continued onto Orange, …

Here’s a reminder that a few dates remain this month for a Fresh Food Distribution, sponsored by South Michigan Food Bank and the St. Joseph County United Way. Volunteers will be on hand at 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Fabius Park Township Fire Department; 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday next week at Colon High School; 4 to 6 p.m. …

COVID19 Cares Act and other funding sources will allow Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency the opportunity to purchase a long-awaited mobile health van. Board members recently approved the $150,000 bid from Tesco Transportation Equipment Sales Corp. The vehicle will be built on a 2021 Ford F-350 frame. Health officer Rebecca Burns said the van will fill a real need but …

Centreville High School Athletic Director Jill Peterson said she received notice late Thursday that Clarkston Everest Collegiate will have to forfeit tonight’s state semi-final football game due to COVID-19. The forfeit means Centreville advances to the state’s Division 8 championship game next week. The contest will take place at 10 a.m. next Friday against the winner of Saturday’s contest between …

I am Lulu.  I am part Cane Corso breed.  A Cane Corso is one of two Italian Mastiff breeds.  We are descended from a Roman breed of dog.  We tend not to do well with other dogs in the house and we need training.  I am current on my rabies vaccination.  I am one year old, and have been spayed.  …

Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is asking for patience as scheduling for COVID-19 vaccine appointments become available to category 1B and 65-to-74 year olds. COVID-19 vaccine supplies remain limited. As a result, the Coldwater-based agency said it is following prioritization guidelines issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, which gives priority to people with greater risk. Any …