Outside of Sunday Ministries of Three Rivers is appealing to the public for some needs sought by local resident facing difficult times. Donations of non-perishable items and toiletries, or financial assistance, would be appreciated. The organization is also looking for partners in its mission to provide distribution of food and other necessities service within local communities. More information is available …

The U.S. Justice Department is investigating the Abbott Laboratories infant-formula plant in Sturgis, which was shut down for months last year due to contamination, the company confirmed. The factory’s closure in February 2022 was a key cause of a nationwide baby formula shortage that forced parents to seek formula from food banks, friends and doctor’s offices. Production restarted in June. …

Michigan State Police Troopers are continuing to investigate a suspicious fire in Flowerfield Township. The residential blaze occurred between 5 and 6 p.m. Dec. 1 in the 51000 block of Wetherbee Road. Troopers are asking anyone with information about the fire to contact them.

Officials at Sturgis Public Schools last week celebrated a $4.5 million makeover of one of its elementary schools with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and student-led tours. School staff, local officials and students gathered inside the front entrance of Eastwood Elementary on Thursday to dedicate the upgrades, which started over the summer and have largely been completed. Funding for the upgrades came …

St. Joseph County Commission On Aging last week celebrated National Penguin Day. COA officials said they celebrated Friday by offering a presentation on penguins and Antarctica. The program was led by COA Executive Director Pam Riley, who traveled to Antarctica on a National Geographic tour in 2019 and shared her experiences with COA members. As part of her program, Riley …

The murder trial in which a Saginaw man is charged with the deaths of an elderly Schoolcraft couple started Thursday in Kalamazoo County. The defendant, Ezra Phillips, 28, is facing two counts of second-degree murder and operating while intoxicated causing death. He is accused of driving an SUV that hit a Chevrolet Impala mid-afternoon May 7, 2021, at the intersection …

The Van Buren/Cass Health Department reports it has documented a recent case in which a Van Buren County resident died and later tested positive for Xylazine. Xylazine is a potent sedative used commonly in veterinary clinics and is not approved for human use. Xylazine has appeared more frequently in Michigan, often mixed with fentanyl or other substances. Some drug users …

A Three Rivers native will be on a network television program next month. Corinne Gahan, a Three Rivers High School graduate, is expected to appear on the TV show Chicago Fire on Feb. 8, according to WWMT-TV. Gahan said she appears in only a brief portion of the program, and called her time on the set an amazing experience. Gahan …

My name is Moo Moo. I am a 1 year old intact female Beagle mix. I am housebroken, leash trained, crate trained. I am good with other dogs and kids. I’m not sure about cats, as I’ve never been around them. I’m a really sweet girl who is looking for my forever home. My docket number is 53921, at the …

Constantine Public Schools Superintendent Joe Holloway said the district was forced to cancel school earlier this week due to a shortage of bus drivers. Holloway said the decision affected classes Tuesday. He said the district has nearly a dozen routes. It has had to turn to drivers outside the district to aid Constantine under worst-case-scenario situations but even those options …