Health and Wellness

A neighbor who saw smoke coming from a residence in Burr Oak alerted its three occupants Tuesday afternoon, allowing the family to escape safely. Investigators said it appears the fire started in an attached garage and spread to the residence. The garage was destroyed and the house sustained heavy smoke damage. Neighbors managed to save a rabbit and two dogs, …

The Constantine Fire Department was called Tuesday to the scene of a fire at the Whispering Pines mobile home park, in the 1200 block of South Washington Street. Chief Mike Haydon said a resident called 911 around 10 p.m. after noticing smoke coming from the dryer. Moments later, flames were seen. Constantine Police Officer Steve Dibble was credited for keeping …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners recently made clear their support for House Bill 5223, which establishes a program of substance-abuse testing as a condition of eligibility for Family Independence program assistance. The measure prohibits recipients of such aid from continuing if they test positive for substance abuse or refuse to comply to the test. Copies of …

The Sturgis Elks has been recognized for its $900 donation to help the Sturgis Police Department set up a secured deposit box for prescription drugs and other medications. The box is set up in the lobby at the police station and is available for drop off of expired or the balance of unused medication. The box is also suitable for …

Three Rivers Police Chief Tom Bringman said the May 19 “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” fundraiser generated more than $13,000. The event was a benefit for the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services of St. Joseph, Cass and Van Buren counties. Bringman said about 50 people participated in the one-mile walk at Three Rivers High School’s Armstrong Field. Pledges were …

Three Rivers Health & HealthTRAC will join an estimated one thousand local events to celebrate the 18th Annual National Senior Health & Fitness Day (NSHFD) on Wednesday, May 30. As an official host site, Three River Health & HealthTRAC will hold an open house for seniors (ages 60 and up), and the HealthTRAC facility and group exercise classes will be …

KeyStone Place, a shelter for individuals and families without a permanent residence, is wrapping up its goal to collect $5 from every employee at a number of businesses in the county. The agency is operating on a tight budget and KeyStone officials are hoping the $5-per-employee drive will give it some much-needed financial relief. Its goal is to raise $20,000. …

The Michigan House last week approved legislation known as “Dominick’s Law” to strengthen penalties for child abuse in Michigan and create penalties for abuse in front of other people. The two House bills, co-sponsored by Reps. Matt Lori and Joseph Graves, are named in memory of Dominick Calhoun, a 4-year-old who was beaten to death in 2010 in Genesee County. …

Saturday’s fundraiser for the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services of St. Joseph, Cass and Van Buren counties was hailed a success by event organizers. Rose Parshall, director of operations for the Three Rivers-based agency, said more than 40 men – most wearing high-heeled or other women’s shoes – took part in the four-lap walk around the track at Three Rivers …

A Marcellus woman died as a result of injuries sustained in a traffic crash Thursday morning. The victim was identified as 23-year-old Rachel Jacobs. She was eastbound on M-216 when she collided with another eastbound vehicle driven by 19-year-old Brandon Farrand of Colon. The Jacobs vehicle then struck an oncoming vehicle driven by Romeo Amat, 77, of Kalamazoo. The Jacobs …