Health and Wellness

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is reporting the third death in the tri-county area this season due to complications from influenza. This is the second death of a St. Joseph County resident, though the death of the elderly man occurred in an out-of-county facility. In each of the three cases, there were underlying conditions that may have been the …

Here’s a reminder that online voting for the People’s Choice continues through Wednesday for the upcoming Dancing With the St. Joseph County Stars event. Event organizer Linda Kline said an award will be presented after Friday’s production to the couple that receives the most online votes for People’s Choice. Voting for the award will continue the day of the event …

Concerns about the city’s recommendation to leave a trickle of water running as a precaution against frozen pipes were expressed during last week’s Three Rivers City Commission meeting. Residents Jim Everett and Helen Dettmar asked Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners if residents who adhere to the request would be given a break on their water bills. City manager Joe Bippus …

An investigation ongoing for several weeks culminated Tuesday with the arrest of three people in the Meijer parking lot in Three Rivers. Sheriff’s department officials said narcotics investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit said the case involved methamphetamine delivery and production. Charges include delivery of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine precursors. One of the males also had …

The Three Rivers Applebee’s recently made a financial donation to the Three Rivers Food Site and other area food banks. Manager Ken Springsteen said the restaurant sold old decorative items online and donated the funds. The Three Rivers Food Site and the Constantine Food Bank each received $1,276. Springsteen said the effort was a way of thanking Three Rivers for …

Registered dietitian Sarah Clark has been named Sturgis Hospital’s associate of the year for 2013. Clark, an 11-year employee, was nominated by marketing director Phyllis Youga, who made her nomination based on Clark’s customer service and dedication to serve others inside and outside the organization. Clark received $100 in Sturgis Chamber Dollars and a preferred parking spot for the first …

The Three Rivers Fire Department earlier this week responded to a report of a natural-gas break. Department officials said they received a call shortly before 5 p.m. Monday regarding the smell of gas at 96 Fifth Ave. after a representative from SEMCO sought assistance. The gas meter and electricity to the building was shut off, as its interior had a …

Three Rivers Fire Chief Dan Tomlinson has issued a special warning for people who own buildings with flat roofs. The existing snow-load and the forecasted rainfall should be of immediate concern for residential, commercial and industrial buildings with flat roofs. The combined accumulation of these loads could exceed the structural stability of the roof system, and could result in a …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has approved a new position at the sheriff’s department, where a diversion program is expected to better meet the needs of people requiring mental-health service evaluations. During Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners approved the position of director of assessment. The specialist’s salary will come out of a $350,000 grant administered by the state to the …

A family of six was left homeless after their home was destroyed by fire over the weekend. Burr Oak firefighters were called to Spade Road, between Lafayette and Witt Lake roads, around 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The home and its contents were a complete loss. The family has four children, three boys ages 4, 9 and 10, and a girl, 6. …