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A top Michigan health official said Tuesday she was cautiously optimistic that more residents took steps to combat the surging coronavirus last month, citing declining case rates, but warned that the spread remains significant and the effect of Thanksgiving will not be known for two to three weeks. Joneigh Khaldun, the state’s chief medical executive and an adviser to Gov. …

A Michigan couple who was married for nearly 50 years died seconds apart from the coronavirus. The couple died Nov. 24 in Henry Ford Allegiance Hospital in Jackson. Leslie and Patricia McWaters spent a week at the hospital after getting sick with COVID-19. “The time on both of their death certificates is 4:23 p.m., because (the difference) was too close …

A Cass County resident was injured after a tree fell on him in Calvin Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called around 6 p.m. Sunday to the 18000 block of Brownsville Road. Investigators said 40-year-old RoMell Dungey was removing trees from his property when one fell on top of him. Authorities said his 14-year-old son removed the tree then …

Based on the overwhelming number of COVID-19 cases in Van Buren and Cass counties, the Van Buren/Cass District Health Department has made the decision to focus efforts on containing potential outbreaks. Recent cases have reported numerous close contacts, making contact tracing efforts difficult to sustain. Even with assistance from partner organizations and increased staffing, capacity has been reached. As a …

Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke said the agency is investigating a death that deputies believe to be suspicious in nature. The body of a deceased female, age 29, was found in a vehicle at 7:30 a.m. Thursday. Behnke revealed little more about the situation, as it remains under investigation. He did say, however, that the location of the vehicle was …

Three Rivers Community Schools has announced two confirmed cases of COVID-19. Superintendent Ron Moag said one case involved a student at Norton Elementary and the other was confirmed as a teacher at Andrews Elementary. Moag announced the cases last Monday. He said anyone identified as a close contact of either person has already been advised by district officials. Moag said …

Due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, an annual event to benefit St. Joseph County children has been called off, but the organizations and businesses involved have still provided a donation to help the cause. The joint efforts of Sturgis Elks, Sturgis Kwanis, Key Club, Willer’s shoes and Ayres Insurance, led to a donation to Rooted of St. Joseph County, for …

Ryan Banaszak, Sturgis director of public safety, wishes to remind residents about the city’s snow-removal ordinance and what to do when a weather emergency is called. By Sturgis city ordinance, when a forecast calls for snow and ice accumulation greater than four inches, a snow-removal emergency may be declared. During such an alert, parking is prohibited on all city streets, …

Two people died late Saturday afternoon in a Porter Township house fire. The victims have been identified as 69-year-old Patricia Cloud, and Brandon Cloud, age 37. Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke said they were unable to escape their burning home, located in the 70000-block of Tharp Lake Road, west of Union. The investigation continues.

It appears St. Joseph County’s contract with Western Michigan University for medical examiner services will be renewed. During their executive committee meeting Wednesday, county commissioners recommended continuing their contract with Western’s medical school. County clerk Lindsay Oswald said a request for qualifications and proposals was sent through the Michigan Association of Medical Examiners, as well as to a few individuals …