Health and Wellness

A fundraiser to help the Constantine Fire Department purchase five Automated External Defibrillators is scheduled to take place later this month. A spaghetti dinner is set for 12:30 to 3 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Constantine American Legion, north of the village on U.S. 131. There is no charge but donations are being requested. Chief Mike Haydon said the department …

A 43-year-old Sturgis woman was charged with drunken driving and open intoxicant following a traffic stop last week in Sturgis. A Michigan State Police trooper noticed her vehicle being driven without its headlights illuminated on South Centerville Road. In addition, a 42-year-old passenger was charged with open intoxicants and a probation violation for possession and consumption of alcohol. They were …

The Cass County Drug Enforcement Team seized firearms, methamphetamine, marijuana, illegally-obtained prescription drugs and meth-lab components in a search of a Porter Township residence last week. According to Cass County officials, Blayne Wolf, 47, and Barbara Balentine, 52, were arrested following the 6:30 p.m. raid Thursday in the 13000 block of Carter Lake Street, near the community of Union. Wolf …

Three area agencies were successful in pulling a man from Pleasant Lake after he fell through ice Thursday morning. The Three Rivers Fire Department, Fabius-Park Townships Fire Department and the St. Joseph County Dive Rescue team were dispatched shortly before 8 a.m. to the Fabius Township location. Two lake residents used an extension ladder and rope to try saving the …

State Rep. Matt Lori, who serves on the House Appropriations Committee, has issued a statement regarding Gov. Rick Snyder’s budget presentation. Lori, a Constantine-area resident, said he is looking forward to examining Snyder’s budget proposal in detail. Lori said Snyder opened the door to discussion on how legislators spend taxpayers’ money, and it is Lori’s goal to make sure legislators …

Several dozen marijuana plants and a large amount of marijuana were discovered following the execution of a search warrant by members of the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit, at a home in the 2800 block of Bonham Road in Colon Township. Two subjects were arrested at the scene for manufacturing marijuana, possession with intent to deliver marijuana, maintaining a …

Three Rivers Area Mentoring has a new executive director. Jennifer VanOosterhout will succeed Stephanie Schoon, who is committing more time to her role as a personal trainer. TRAM has also announced that Norah Rodgers is the 2012 Mentor of the Year award winner.

A White Pigeon man who failed to stop for a red light on U.S. 131 in Lockport Township contributed to the cause of a three-vehicle accident last week. Michigan State Police said William Bradford was driving north on the highway when he struck a southbound car turning left onto North Main Street at 6:30 p.m. Friday. His vehicle struck the …

Three Rivers Health has announced Marci Kohlhoff as the recipient of its inaugural Employee of the Quarter award. An OB nurse, Kohlhoff is a 13-year employee and won the award based on nominations from her peers. The employee recognition is a new initiative started in 2013 by the Three Rivers-based medical facility.

A state report that gauges the well-being of Michigan’s children shows St. Joseph County falls in the lowest third of all the counties in the state. The annual Kids Count in Michigan report indicates St. Joseph County stands 58th of Michigan’s 82 counties. The study takes into account 15 indicators to determine child well-being. From 2005 through 2011, the number …