Health and Wellness

A barn was destroyed by fire Monday in Sherman Township. According to the Tri-Township Fire Department, the blaze in the 62000 block of Nottawa Road was caused by sparks from welding activity around 8 p.m. Four other departments and LifeCare ambulance responded. There were no injuries reported.

Members of the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging have agreed to urge the county’s board of commissioners to move forward with plans for a proposed senior center in Sturgis. During their meeting last week, COA board members discussed the proposed Sturgis location and agreed it is needed as a replacement for the current facility on North Jefferson Street. County …

White Pigeon Police Chief Lynn Baker has signed a contract with the village to continue his services with the municipality. The contract includes a privacy clause, which essentially limits details regarding terms of Baker’s employment. Police chief in White Pigeon since 1995, Baker previously worked under a handshake agreement, but village officials agreed a formal contract should be in place …

Three Rivers Health has announced the employment of Jon Withers as program director of the facility’s inpatient rehab. CEO William Russell said Withers brings to the job a strong degree of experience in the areas of cardiac units, home health care, inpatient physical rehab and ambulatory care. A Three Rives native, Withers graduated from Spring Arbor University with a degree …

Two juveniles, including a 15-year-old boy from White Pigeon, were charged with breaking-and-entering following a pair of incidents at Klinger Lake in White Pigeon Township. Michigan State Police investigators said the two were involved in a break-in Monday at a residence on Détente Road, where they stole alcohol, medical marijuana, sporting equipment and money. The boys also admitted their involvement …

Seizure of 83 marijuana plants in Flowerfield Township marked the biggest single haul of the day for the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit during a countywide sweep Wednesday. The agency, in conjunction with a Michigan Air National Guard helicopter, was able to destroy a total of more than 200 marijuana plants grown in difficult-to-spot areas without the benefit of …

Last weekend’s cleanup of a portion of the Portage River netted about 400 pounds of debris. A 4.3-mile stretch of the river from North Fisher Lake Road to Carpenter Road in Park and Lockport townships was the focus of the St. Joseph County Conservation District’s third of seven river cleanups this summer. Jen Miller, administrator of the Centreville-based agency, said …

A Constantine woman was cited for failure to yield after she caused a two-car accident Monday morning in White Pigeon Township. State police said Lindsey Stone, 24, was driving south on Lutz Road when she failed to stop at U.S. 12. Her vehicle struck a westbound car driven by 36-year-old Tara Smith of Sturgis. Stone did not seek medical attention; …

A 22-year-old Three Rivers woman was treated for minor injuries after she was involved in a two-vehicle accident at 4:30 Monday afternoon in Fabius Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Arianna Swartzentruber was driving west on Millard Street when her vehicle was struck by a vehicle northbound on U.S. 131. The driver of the second vehicle, Michele Root, …

Final numbers are still being calculated but a recent golf outing to help a local deputy has exceeded $35,000 in fundraising efforts. The latest figure is more than the $20,000-plus organizers had originally estimated for a fundraiser in support of T.J. Baker. A 36-year-old deputy with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, Baker recently opted to have his left arm …