Health and Wellness

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department and the Centreville Fire Department are hosting a Community Emergency Response Team class. The three-part program starts Jan. 19 and continues Feb. 2 and 16 at the sheriff’s department. It will run 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and lunch will be provided. The Community Emergency Response Team program educates people about disaster preparedness for …

A 34-year-old Elkhart man was charged with driving on a suspended license and open intoxicants after he was involved in a one-car crash last week in Nottawa Township. Sheriff Brad Balk said Chad Ginther was driving east on Butler Road when Ginther crossed the center line, drove off the roadway and his vehicle struck a tree east of North Angling …

A 55-year-old Sturgis man, whose license has been expired since 1987, was arrested after forcing a Michigan State Police trooper to take evasive action from being struck head-on Sunday evening in Mottville Township. The trooper was driving westbound on U.S. 12 when an oncoming vehicle forced him to drive off the roadway. The driver of the eastbound vehicle was stopped …

A citizen’s tip led the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team last week to a Porter Township residence, where marijuana and hashish were discovered. Sheriff Joe Underwood said a report of suspected illegal activity at a residence in the 15000 block of U.S. 12 led detectives to the address around 11:30 a.m. Thursday. After investigators discovered the drugs, 27-year-old Melissa Goodman …

A Three Rivers woman and her two children were treated for injuries after they were involved in a one-car accident over the weekend. Cass County officials said Ginnie Wallace, 40, was driving east on U.S. 12 in Porter Township when she fell asleep and drove into a generator and pole, according to a department media release. The incident occurred at …

The St. Joseph County United Way is hoping a late push in sales of its $1 raffle tickets will help the Centreville-based agency meet its 2013 season fundraising goal. Between now and Jan. 31, the United Way is offering a $1,000 Meijer gift card with the purchase of a ticket. The drawing will take place during the agency’s Feb. 7 …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a hit-and-run incident that took place early Sunday in Mendon Township. According to a department media release, a motorist heading north on Silver Street failed to stop at Michigan Avenue and struck a cement wall at the north end of the three-way intersection. The incident, which occurred around 1 a.m., damaged the …

A 31-year-old Coldwater man was pulled from a lake in Branch County after he fell through ice earlier this week. According to the Michigan State Police post in Coldwater, the victim fell through ice on Rose Lake around 10:45 a.m. Tuesday in Ovid Township. Quick-thinking residents created a rescue device, using a life preserver and marine rope, and the mechanism …

Thirty-one rides were provided to New Year’s Eve revelers Monday and Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority, according to the agency’s director. Steve Yorks said 12 rides were provided from the Three Rivers-based bus and 19 from the vehicle serving the east half of the county, including the Sturgis area. The number of riders was slightly less than …

A northern Indiana hospital has fired eight employees who refused to get flu shots the hospital says are needed to protect patients from the potentially deadly illness. IU Health Goshen Hospital officials told its staff in September that flu shots would no longer be optional for staff, affiliated physicians, volunteers and vendors. Hospital spokeswoman Melanie McDonald says the new requirements came as …