County Information

The Michigan House on Wednesday approved legislation introduced by state Rep. Matt Lori that allows the Michigan Department of Community Health to use email to notify Medicaid providers of changes in policy. The House bill allows the DCH to email changes to the Michigan Medicaid Provider Manual instead of using the U.S. Postal Service, as currently required. Lori said the …

Supporters and opponents of a proposed non-motorized trail way made their feelings clear about a 20-mile stretch of abandoned railway between Sturgis and well into Branch County. The former Indiana Northeastern Railroad Co. route is being sought as a route for bicyclists, joggers and walkers. Residents who live adjacent to the rail bed, however, have cited lack of privacy and …

The Admiral gas station in Sturgis was robbed Tuesday morning by a man who used pepper spray to disorient the sales clerk. Sturgis police said a black man with cornrows in his hair entered the West Chicago Road station at 8:15 a.m. and discharged the spray on the clerk. The suspect then took a large sum of money from the …

Two high-ranking St. Joseph County officials met with 11 local pharmacists Tuesday to discuss strategies on reducing the sale of products that include an ingredient essential in the manufacturing of methamphetamine. Prosecutor John McDonough and Liz O’Dell, executive director of community mental health and substance abuse services of St. Joseph County, staged the meeting as a way of attempting to …

The 22nd annual Lights of Love at Three Rivers Health has set a fundraising goal of $12,000 this year. Campaign chair Diane Reece said proceeds will be used to purchase new equipment for the laboratory at Three Rivers Health. Each donation of $3 or more will add a light to the tree. The light symbolizes the memory of a loved …

Computers and televisions were stolen from a building on Klinger Lake Road in White Pigeon Township. Troopers from the White Pigeon State Police detachment responded to the 69000 block of Klinger Lake Road to investigate the theft of several computers and televisions. The victim indicated the incident likely occurred Oct. 31. A method of entry was not indicated in a …

The Oasis restaurant, a Three Rivers eatery that sustained heavy damage in a Sept. 14 fire, re-opened last week. Owner John Samoilis said the reconstruction process was a laborious task but completed in time for it to open Thursday last week. Though the cause of the fire was not determined, the blaze was confirmed to have started in the kitchen.

A St. Joseph County woman has been identified as one of 13 state residents who have died in a national outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to contaminated steroids. Viola Copsey, 87, of Constantine received a steroid injection in September at a clinic in Elkhart as treatment for a back problem. She passed away Monday last week at Heartland Health Care …

Kelly Hostetler, executive director for St. Joseph County United Way, has been appointed as St. Joseph County’s representative on the Department of Human Services Board of Directors for the state of Michigan. The three-year term started Nov. 1. DHS Director Maura Corrigan appoints members from county DHS boards to collaborate with the state DHS to focus on removing social disabilities …

Sturgis Police arrested a man over the weekend after he failed to stop for officers shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday at North Lakeview Avenue and Oakwood Drive. The driver of the 2010 Ford Explorer fled to an address in the 1000 block of Oakwood, where he exited the vehicle and approached the officer. The suspect had to be physically detained …