Health and Wellness

Thirty-two food-service establishments in St. Joseph County were recognized for earning exemplary inspection scores by the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. Certificates of excellence were awarded to the eateries for meeting criteria set by the state and earning top scores after being inspected at least once annually by the Coldwater-based department. Among the fast-food and sit-down establishments in Sturgis, Mancino’s …

The St Joseph County Sheriff Department investigated a breaking-and-entering incident last week in Lockport Township. Deputies responded to a residence in the 17000 block of Scott Lane, where prescription medicine was reported stolen. The incident occurred between 4:30 and 10 p.m. Friday.

Sturgis High School went into lockdown Thursday as a precautionary measure after a student reported overhearing a possible act of violence. Superintendent Tom Langdon said the action was employed based on what the student reported to school officials. It prompted what Langdon called a Phase One security measure, considered a low-level threat. Based on a student’s report to the principal …

The five-member St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this week approved a request for a new supervisor position at Central Dispatch, as sought by its director, Jon Uribe. Uribe on Tuesday explained the new position is for the day shift, which has been operating without a supervisor. He said the measure would create an additional position, but a current telecommunicator …

A 54-year-old Edwardsburg man was found guilty last week of 14 criminal counts. Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz said the case against Scott Blaisedell stems from a February 2012 incident, when detectives from the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team executed a search warrant at Blaisedell’s residence. In the course of the search, detectives found throughout the home and the garage …

Investigators have ruled a house fire last week in Constantine was started by accident. The April 11 blaze at 570 S. Washington St. in Constantine has been ruled accidental, as its source was found to be an 11-year-old occupant playing with a lighter. The fire began around 7 p.m. in a first-floor bedroom and quickly spread to an upper- level …

Two Colon Township residents were arrested Monday on methamphetamine-related charges following a two-month investigation. Thanks to a citizen’s tip, the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit executed a search warrant in the 56000 block of Driftwood Drive, where a 61-year-old man and 26-year-old woman were arrested. Pending charges include operating and maintaining a meth lab, possession of meth and maintaining …

A veteran member of the White Pigeon Police Department was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence last week following a one-car accident in Branch County. State police investigators said Sgt. Bill Burgoyne, who has a two-decade career with the White Pigeon department, faces charges related to drunken driving after an incident around 6 p.m. Friday in Sherwood …

A Minnesota man was cited for failure to yield as the result of a three-vehicle accident Saturday night in Three Rivers. State Police investigators said the 54-year-old driver of a mini van attempted to turn left from southbound U.S. 131 into the Super 8 hotel parking lot. He turned in front of a northbound car driven by a 38-year-old Three …

Sturgis Police arrested a man around 1 p.m. Sunday following an incident in the 1300 block of Cato Lane. A man, whose age and community of residence were not listed in a department media release, was charged with aggravated assault and ethnic intimidation after he confronted the man and used racial slurs. The suspect was released to police custody following …