News

Both enrichment centers of St. Joseph County Commission on Aging plan to reopen July 1, following adoption of a plan Wednesday by the COA board. Due to safety and health concerns, guests will be asked health-screening questions and have their temperature checked. All seniors and staff members will be required to wear a mask if medically able. Also, class sizes …

Drugs and guns were seized Wednesday from a Sturgis home following a search by members of the Southwest Enforcement Team. A warrant was served in the 28000 block of East West Street. Five men were found in a shed that had been converted into living space. One man was found unresponsive behind the shed but was eventually revived. An investigation …

Twenty more people have died in Michigan from COVID-19, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths to 5,843 as the state’s economy continues to reopen, state officials said Saturday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said that aside from the 5,843 confirmed deaths, the state has also had 244 presumed deaths, in which the individuals’ death certificates listed …

A large mass of grasses and other vegetation has been swept into a western Michigan lake, creating what one professor calls a “bizarre” floating island. Norton Shores photographer Joe Gee shot video of the floating vegetation Thursday in Muskegon Lake using an aerial drone. His footage shows a pontoon boat circling the island and looking small by comparison. “I’ve lived …

A Battle Creek man has been charged in the March death of a woman who police believe was fatally shot in her home before her body was burned along a remote road. Jose Juarez, 26, was arrested Thursday and charged with open murder, mutilation of a dead body and three other counts in the death of Alison Sargent, a 25-year-old …

A 62-year-old woman died in a hit-and-run incident Thursday in the parking lot at the Three Rivers Meijer. Three Rivers Police were called shortly after 1 p.m. in response to a pedestrian struck by a car. Witnesses told investigators the driver ran the victim over and continued from the scene. Officers are looking for a black 2015 body style Chevrolet …

Albeit bare-bones, there will be a Fourth of July celebration in St. Joseph County after all. Members of the Constantine Village Council this week discussed plans related to an Independence Day parade and fireworks display. The council had discussed funding the fireworks at several recent meetings. This week, however, the legality of having an Independence Day celebration came into question. …

Three Rivers Health officials said staff members are calling patients, and establishing previously scheduled surgeries and procedures that were postponed. Hospital administrators said many patients have delayed care for several weeks and chronic conditions can potentially worsen if left unmanaged. The hospital’s health and safety steps include screening everyone upon entry, limiting visitors, requiring everyone to wear a mask, practicing …

Three fresh-food distributions are on tap in St. Joseph County. Fabius Township will host the next event. It takes place 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Three Rivers High School. White Pigeon has a distribution planned for next week. The two-hour event starts at 4 p.m. Tuesday at White Pigeon High School. Finally, the Doyle Community Center in Sturgis will …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating two breaking-and-entering incidents in Branch County. According to a department media release, the first incident occurred between 4 and 7 p.m. April 20 in the 300 block of Teds Drive in Coldwater Township. Items reported stolen include a Dewalt impact drill, two rechargeable chain saws, a Samsung tablet, and an Xbox. The other incident …