Health and Wellness

An election of officers resulted in no change on the Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County board. During the board’s monthly meeting Tuesday, it was agreed that Barb Parker will remain chairperson, Robin Baker as vice-chair, Ronnie Atkins as secretary and Gaylene Adams serving in the capacity of citizen-at-large. In a separate matter, the board …

Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County executive director Liz O’Dell said the agency last week received a check for more than $200,000 from her counterpart in Oakland County. O’Dell told board members during their monthly meeting Tuesday that the $211,000 will help cover spin-down costs, which are incurred when the agency fronts deductible or co-pay …

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 …