Health and Wellness

A St. Joseph County resident avoided being the victim of a telephone-solicitation scam Tuesday. The resident received on their home phone a call from someone claiming to represent a company called YHG. The suspect indicated they would be sending new Medicare cards and just needed the potential victim’s name, address and account number off of a checking account belonging to …

Organizers of the 2013 Three Rivers Water Festival are promoting a new addition to the annual event. A backyard barbecue competition, sponsored by Kackies Que and Century Bank and Trust, will take place 2 to 9 p.m. June 14 in the Community Tent area at the back of Scidmore Park. An entry fee of $55 will include fees, awards, prize …

A White Pigeon woman was ticketed for being unable to stop within an assured distance following a two-vehicle accident Monday in Sturgis Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Tambra Bryant, 48, was cited after she swerved to avoid striking the rear of a car that had slowed on westbound U.S. 12 in front of Lake Area Veterinary Clinic. …

Members of the White Pigeon Fire Department recently took delivery of a new truck. The 2013 Rosenbauer pumper and rescue will be in service by early June. The truck must first be outfitted with rescue and firefighting equipment, Township Supervisor Don Gloy said. The truck holds 1,000 gallons of water, but has the capability to pump 1,500 gallons of water …

A federal appeals court ruled last week that a jury should decide whether the rights of a Sturgis resident were violated by officers from the Sturgis Police Department. A three-judge panel from the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Friday rendered its opinion regarding the 2010 incident involving then-20-year-old Charles Smith over the theft of a phone charger from Walgreens …

For the second time in less than 10 days, a 75-year-old Constantine man was forcibly restrained while his residence was burglarized. Constantine Police Chief Jim Bedell said three men in the early morning hours of May 6 forced their way into a residence in the Whispering Pines neighborhood and tortured the man with second-degree burns on his legs and back. …

An 80-year-old Three Rivers man was not injured after the vehicle he was driving ended up in a creek Wednesday in Fabius Township The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Fred Soukup was driving west on Coon Hollow Road when he lost control of his vehicle around 5:30 p.m. and went off the roadway near Ferguson Road. Deputies said Soukup’s …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency this week received reports of salmonella cases possibly linked to the handling of live baby chicks. The Coldwater-based agency said the situation should serve as a reminder that people who touch ducklings or chicks should wash your hands immediately afterward. Agency officials said live baby poultry may be put on display at stores where …

The city of Sturgis is continuing its brush pick-up through the end of the week. Department of Public Services crews started the process Monday from the north side of the city and are making their way to the south end. City officials ask that materials be neatly stacked on the terrace area, away from objects or obstructions such as power …

A 65-year-old Kalamazoo woman was treated for injuries she suffered last week following a one-car crash in Flowerfield Township. Officials from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Donna Rees was driving west on M-216 when she said she swerved to avoid striking a small animal and drove off the roadway east of Bent Road. Witnesses told investigators they observed …