News

Area health officers, including Rebecca Burns of Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, are planning for a unified effort to address the growing coronavirus threat. This comes as federal processes increase to follow potential cases, including one in Hillsdale County. Kali Nichols, director of personal health and disease prevention, told the health board last week her office was notified Feb. 8 …

Contaminants above the acceptable health limit were detected in one of a dozen wells tested near White Pigeon Paper Company, officials from the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency announced last week. Paul Andriaachi, environmental health director for the agency, said the test was one of a dozen conducted two weeks ago after discovery of PFAS at the site. Andriaachi said …

It’s not too late: Voters who used an absentee ballot for Michigan’s March 10 presidential primary election can change their preference and vote again. At least eight Democratic candidates have dropped out of the race since Michigan absentee ballots were printed, including U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Pete Buttigieg, a former South Bend, Indiana, mayor, and businessmen Tom Steyer …

The parent company of the Three Rivers 6 movie theater has filed for bankruptcy, according to MLive. Goodrich Quality Theaters, which has locations in five states, filed for bankruptcy last week in federal court in Grand Rapids. Kentwood-based Goodrich has estimated liabilities between $10 million and $50 million, according to the MLive report. Company officials indicated some locations might be …

This year’s St. Joseph County “Walk for Warmth” collected more than $12,000. Saturday’s annual one-mile walk was staged in Three Rivers to help low-income, elderly and disabled residents retain home heating throughout the winter. Charles Asher, chief operating officer of Community Action, told volunteers who gathered at Carol Shippy Center, that St. Joseph County is always dependable for raising funds. …

A 40-year-old Ypsilanti man was arrested Thursday after leading police on a chase, then hiding under a mobile home. Just before 5:30 p.m., White Pigeon police attempted to stop a vehicle for a registration violation. The driver fled at a high speed, initiating the pursuit. The man eventually drove into a mobile home park on U.S. 131, and police followed. …

A 32-year-old man was arrested following an armed robbery last week in Penn Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said the incident was reported at 6:30 p.m. Friday from the Dollar General store in Vandalia. Investigators said a man came into the store and requested money after leading an employee to believe he had a weapon in his possession. The clerk complied …

Farm animals and several items were taken last week from a location in White Pigeon Township. State police said troopers were called to the 1800 block of U.S. 12 in response to a larceny incident that occurred between Wednesday and Friday. Stolen items include Stihl and Husqvarna chainsaws, a Simplicity riding lawn tractor, a yellow tri-axle implement trailer and three …

Teresa Doehring, St. Joseph County administrator, announced that Tuesday’s county commission meeting has been canceled. County officials are scheduled to not meet again until their March 11 executive committee meeting, followed by the next regularly scheduled county commission meeting March 17.

Michigan Republican congressman Fred Upton says he will seek re-election to his Sixth Congressional District seat. In announcing his re-election bid, Upton says there is “unfinished” business that has to be completed, including fighting the opioid epidemic and immigration reform. The 66-year-old Upton Upton was being watched closely as a potential House retiree as Republicans struggle to try regaining the …