Health and Wellness

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. …

The Sturgis Department of Public Services is asking its residents to be conscious of freezing water lines. DPS officials said with the depth of frost, the department is receiving an abundance of calls regarding frozen water lines. To alleviate the problem, DPS officials suggest allowing a stream of water to run from a single faucet. Officials in Burr Oak, Centreville, …

St. Joseph County Sheriff deputies were dispatched Saturday to a call regarding an intoxicated man passed out behind Maria’s restaurant in Sturgis. When deputies arrived they were told by employees the man was picked up by family members and transported home. Later that night, however, deputies were contacted regarding a 31-year-old old male admitted to Lagrange County Hospital with severe …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has reported that a second jurisdictional death associated with this year’s flu has occurred. The victim was a St. Joseph County man who tested positive for Influenza A/H1N1, which is the predominant influenza strain making the rounds this year, according to the health department. The victim, who was more than 60 years old, also …

Three males and two females were arrested Monday as a result of a special sweep conducted by local law-enforcement agencies. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said “Operation Night Hawk,” spearheaded by the Michigan Department of Corrections, found methamphetamine and a parole weapons violation at a residence in the 1200 block of 7th Street in Three Rivers. With assistance from …

State Rep. Matt Lori has offered his compliments to Rick Snyder for the governor’s budget proposal to invest more money in the state’s mental-health programs. In a statement Wednesday after the release of the governor’s proposed fiscal year 2015 budget, Lori said Michigan continues its comeback by investing in priorities to boost education, expand job creation, build stronger communities, improve …