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The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency this week received reports of salmonella cases possibly linked to the handling of live baby chicks. The Coldwater-based agency said the situation should serve as a reminder that people who touch ducklings or chicks should wash your hands immediately afterward. Agency officials said live baby poultry may be put on display at stores where …

Officials from school districts in Three Rivers and White Pigeon saw non-homestead millage renewals pass with ease Tuesday. In Three Rivers, nearly two-thirds of the 612 participating voters OK’d an 18-mill renewal levied to the tax bills of commercial and non-homestead properties. The millage generates nearly $3.7 million annually and represents about 15 percent of the district’s annual budget. White …

Smoother roads will be appearing in Sturgis over the next decade, as voters Tuesday supported a 3-mill increase dedicated to street improvements and sidewalk repairs. The 10-year millage is expected to generate about $6.7 million in all, thanks to voter support of the proposal, which passed by a 3-to-2 margin. Mayor Ken Malone said the 3 mills will appear on …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners were asked Tuesday to consider providing financial support to help establish a new animal shelter. Proposed as a jointly run operation between the county and the newly formed River Country Humane Society, the potential facility is being eyed at the 12-acre location previously occupied by Finnerman’s Farm and Garden Equipment site …

A 65-year-old Kalamazoo woman was treated for injuries she suffered last week following a one-car crash in Flowerfield Township. Officials from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Donna Rees was driving west on M-216 when she said she swerved to avoid striking a small animal and drove off the roadway east of Bent Road. Witnesses told investigators they observed …

The March unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by half a percent compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 7.3 percent March unemployment rate was less than February’s 7.8 percent. Furthermore, the March unemployment rate was 1.9 percent less than the same month one …

A Sturgis Police officer suffered a leg injury after he was involved in arresting a subject at 4 p.m. Thursday. According to the Sturgis Police Department, the Cass County Parole and Probation Department asked Sturgis officers to check on a wanted subject likely at a residence in the 1500 block of Progress Street. An officer made contact with the 29-year-old …

A home in the 66000 block of Klinger Lake Road in Florence Township was heavily damaged by fire Wednesday afternoon. Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff ’s Department arrived to find the kitchen area on fire. Firefighters were hampered when the blaze spread from the kitchen to an adjacent attic. The fire has been ruled accidental, officials said.

A biosolids foam-over event from the Autoheated Thermophilic Aerobic Digestion system Wednesday morning was contained within the newly constructed containment area at the Three Rivers Wastewater Treatment Plant, according to James Baker, plant superintendent. The containment area was constructed to serve as a final protective barrier to prevent biosolids foam from entering Lincoln Street and the city’s storm-sewer system. The …

Electric-transmission company ITC Holdings has made a financial contribution to the village of Colon to help with the restoration of a row of businesses destroyed by fire nearly two months ago. The $10,000 donation was presented this week to village president Tom Tenney. ITC officials hand-delivered the check to Tenney, who expressed his gratitude for the funds. A Prudential real …