Health and Wellness

Cases of influenza are growing rapidly across Michigan, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declares a national flu epidemic, with widespread outbreaks in 22 states, so far. The C-D-C reports 15 children have died already this season of complications from the flu, which is peaking much earlier than normal in December instead of February or March. National officials say about …

Two area state parks will be a part of a free, New Year’s Day event sponsored by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The agency will sponsor free, guided hikes in Michigan state parks on New Year’s Day – plus additional hikes throughout the week – as part of America’s state parks “First Day Hikes” initiative. According to the Michigan …

The state has hired a new director for the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital. Jill Krause will take over managing the facility next month. The appointment comes following allegations of misconduct at the hospital that caused the former Director, James Coleman, to resign earlier this year. Twenty-eight other workers were suspended in a separate investigation but nearly half of them have since returned …

The flu season is well underway in Michigan, and State Department of Community Health officials are urging residents to get vaccinated, before the end of the year. Jennifer Smith, of the Michigan Department of Community Health, says influenza activity normally peaks between January and April in Michigan, which is why those six-months-of age and older need to be vaccinated now since …

A 29-year-old Cassopolis woman was injured after she was involved in a three-vehicle accident Wednesday morning in Cass County. Sheriff’s department officials said Ryan Rosalee Deckard, failed to slow down as she approached two vehicles that had stopped for a school bus shortly before 7:30 a.m. on M-60 in Newberg Township. Deckard drove into the back of a vehicle driven …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has agreed to provide additional funding to support a proposed trail project designed to run between Three Rivers and Fabius Township. At the request of Lindsay Oswald, a member of the River Country Recreational Authority, the commission committed $23,400. Coupled with $5,000 offered by the city of Three Rivers Tuesday, the proposed trail …

The state of Michigan is hiring a mental health agency to conduct an independent review of the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital, which is under scrutiny over patient safety. The state Community Health Department said Monday that Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services will do an evaluation focusing on inpatient care and the hospital’s organizational structure and staff. The review is expected …

A 10-year-old boy was struck and killed early Sunday near the intersection of U.S. 131 and West Michigan Avenue in Three Rivers. The boy, Trenton Holtslander, a 15-year-old sibling and their father were walking across U.S. 131 in the 100 block. The victim dropped something and as he went back to retrieve it, he was struck by a northbound van …

Three people were injured following an accident Friday night at the intersection of M-60 and U.S. 131 in Three Rivers. State police said a semi heading south on U.S. 131 struck an eastbound vehicle on M-60 that drove onto U.S. 131 and into the path of the truck around 11 p.m. The driver of the car, 57-year-old Mark Thompson of …

Three Rivers Health has issued an update on its 2014 Lights of Love campaign. Event organizers said the campaign is doing well even though the $10,000 goal has not quite been reached. Lights of Love organizers are optimistic, however, that the goal will be realized. This year’s donations will used to purchase four Ambulatory Infusion Pumps – commonly known as …