News

A horse in Livingston County was recently diagnosed with Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Additionally, EEE-positive mosquitos have been identified in Barry County, according to the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. Officials said the cases highlight the need for both horse owners and Michigan residents in general to take safeguards against the disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes to animals and people. It …

The 2021-22 academic year got underway Monday at Glen Oaks Community College and school officials said it has about 1,000 students enrolled, up 2 percent from the first day of class in 2020. Preliminary figures show enrollment for traditional students is up, with 611 students at 63 percent while 365 high-school students comprise 37 percent of the student-body total. College officials …

Sturgis Toy Run officials said the annual ride around St. Joseph County will not be held this year. The cancellation marks the second consecutive year the Sturgis Toy Run is not taking place. Traditionally staged the Saturday after Labor Day, the Toy Run is an opportunity for motorcyclists to bring toys and money to purchase items for children in need …

Riverside Church in Three Rivers held a Prayer Drive last week, stopping at several sites to pray for the community. Pastor Paul Booko said the event started outside Riverside, where those who gathered prayed for their neighborhood and neighborhoods throughout St. Joseph County. Booko said it was important to spread prayers throughout the county. In addition, participants sang “God of …

State Sen. Kim LaSata last week joined local leaders and emergency management officials on a tour of St. Joseph County, as they continue work to determine the scope of damage and where resources could be used most efficiently. LaSata drafted a request for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to declare a state of emergency for the area. The governor has since granted that request, making …

Thanks to funding from Centreville Athletic Boosters and the district’s board of education, the high school’s football scoreboard and its two gymnasium scoreboards were replaced last week. Athletic director Jill Peterson said the new scoreboards cost almost $50,000 and the expense was split evenly between the two sources. The previous football scoreboard had been in place since the stadium opened …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services have secured a $13 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration for 51 rural hospitals in Michigan to support COVID-19 testing and mitigation. Sturgis Hospital and Three Rivers Health are among the recipients. Rural hospitals with fewer than 50 staff members will be able to use the funds for testing equipment, personnel, …

It appears the PBS-produced documentary about the St. Joseph River, which premiered over the weekend, was a hit. More than 80 people assembled Saturday inside the barn at Covered Bridge Farm County Park to check out an advance screening of the hour-long program, which featured a number of river-related landmarks and points of interest in St. Joseph County. Over the …

The Center for Disease Control has issued an addendum to the standing order for COVID in regards to third-dose vaccinations and individual eligibility. According to the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, this addendum applies to individuals with a compromised immune system and who have completed vaccination using either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.  Those who received Johnson & Johnson are …

St. Joseph County sheriff’s deputies responded last week to a report of a stolen car in Lockport Township. Deputies were called Thursday to the 17000 block of Apache Trail. Investigators said the vehicle was stolen between 1:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. The vehicle is a blue 2012 Ford Escape. It had a peace sign sticker in the back window and …