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Three Rivers Community Schools officials have released a statement regarding Pride flags in classrooms. Released Wednesday afternoon and posted on the district’s website, the message recapped the situation that led to middle school health teacher Russell Ball walking off the job Monday and ultimately resigning. District officials said they were notified by what they call “an external party,” Nov. 18. …

A recent outbreak of 525 cases of influenza among students at University of Michigan has prompted the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency to issue a media release centering on the importance of a flu shot. Statewide surveillance shows flu-vaccination numbers are lower than last year’s, which puts the community at higher risk for transmission, agency officials said. The agency understands …

The Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education recently approved the purchase of vaping sensors to be installed in all bathrooms and locker rooms at Sturgis Middle School and Sturgis High School. The board selected Summit Fire Protection of Paw Paw to install the 46 Halo Smart Sensors, which are required to cover all bathrooms and locker rooms in the two buildings. In addition …

The federal government will send 44 military medical staffers to Michigan to help beleaguered hospitals treat COVID-19 patients amid a fourth surge that is the worst in the country, state health officials said Wednesday. It also will open beds at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Detroit for transfers. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer sought the assistance at the request of the Michigan …

An $18.6 million transit center will be constructed on the site of the former Michigan State Fairgrounds in Detroit. Detroit City Councilmembers on Tuesday approved by a 5-2 vote a plan that calls for buses and passengers to use what had been the fairground’s Dairy Cattle Building. The Coliseum building will be torn down. In past years, it hosted circuses, …

A Three Rivers teacher left his job in the middle of the school day Monday rather than adhere to a district-ordered mandate to remove a pride flag from his classroom. Russell Ball posted a video to social media minutes after resigning and leaving Three Rivers Middle School. Ball, age 43, taught physical education and health. Ball said an internal email …

A Three Rivers man was injured in a two-vehicle collision Tuesday in Lockport Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called at 9 a.m. to the intersection of M-86 and Neaman Road, just east of Three Rivers. Investigators found that a Ford F-150 was heading west and came to a stop in order for traffic to clear before turning left …

Based on new recommendations from the CDC, the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is now offering all manufacturer’s vaccine booster doses to all residents age 18 and older. Those who received a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine as their primary vaccine with the second dose administered at least six months ago are eligible for a booster dose. Those who are age …

Several reports of breaking-and-entering into automobiles were made from Flowerfield Township early Monday. State police said troopers fielded multiple reports of items stolen from vehicles parked in driveways in the early morning hours. A specific area was not indicated in a department media release. The stolen items included two guns, money, identification, wallets and purses. All vehicles involved were unlocked …

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating the theft of gas from vehicles parked at a location in Nottawa Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies responded to a report of gas stolen between Wednesday and Thursday from vehicles and tractors parked in the 27000 block of Prairie Corners Road.