News

In a field crowded with worthy nominees, Kelli Lusk stood slightly above all others as the recipient of this year’s, “Jeanette Schirs Recognition of Kindness to Animals” award. Bestowed by the Animal Rescue Fund of St. Joseph County, the award was presented to the 31-year-old Sturgis-area resident during the organization’s annual mostaccioli dinner and live auction fundraiser Saturday at Three …

Cases of chlamydia and other sexually-transmitted diseases are rising in the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph County area, according to 2016 data. Lauren Vogel, medical officer at the tri-county agency, said HPV exposure remains the most common sexually transmitted infections, with chlamydia being the most frequently reported disease. Vogel during last week’s department board meeting, said St. Joseph County showed 207 cases reported in 2016 …

A Grand Rapids-area native currently working in Lelenau County has been selected as the new superintendent of St. Joseph County’s second-largest school district. Ron Moag was chosen Monday by Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education. After four candidates were interviewed in the past month, board members narrowed the list to Moag and Jonathan Whan. Moag, who grew up in …

A reckless driver who was on drugs when his pickup truck crashed into a pack of bicyclists, killing five, was convicted of second-degree murder Tuesday in southwestern Michigan. Charles Pickett’s trial lasted just a few days in Kalamazoo County. There was no dispute that he had swallowed painkillers and other drugs before driving, although his lawyers argued that murder charges …

March’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was four-tenths of a percent lower than the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s 3.7 percent March unemployment rate marked a decrease from February’s 4.1 percent. St. Joseph County was below the state unemployment average, which was 4.6 percent in March. …

Three Rivers Health physicians, leaders and clinicians gathered last week to celebrate the Robert A. Warriner III Center of Excellence award. The accolade was given to Three Rivers Health Center for Wound Healing during a ceremony Friday. The center has achieved patient satisfaction rates higher than 92 percent and a healing rate of at least 91 percent in less than …

A prosecutor says no charges will be filed against sheriff’s deputies after three suspects they were chasing died following a gun shop burglary in southwestern Michigan. Berrien County Prosecutor Michael Sepic announced the results of his review Monday. A break-in was reported early April 15 at the Black Arsenal Gun Store. A witness described an SUV leaving the scene and …

A 29-year-old White Pigeon man was arrested after fleeing from police last week. Constantine police said its officers attempted Friday to stop a driver for an equipment violation. The man disregarded police orders to pull over and fled onto Youngs Prairie Road before turning onto Peck Academy Road. His vehicle crashed at the intersection of Peck Academy and Millers Mill …

A Kalamazoo woman has been sentenced to at least 23 years in prison for the death of her 4-year-old daughter, who was found wrapped in blankets and duct tape. A judge ordered Monday that 34-year-old Kelly Ballinger oserve a sentence of between 23 years, nine months and 50 years. Jurors last month convicted Ballinger of first-degree child abuse and involuntary …

Jurors in Nevada have heard a Michigan schoolteacher’s account of falling and skinning a knee taking part in a signature David Copperfield illusion at a Las Vegas Strip show just months before a British tourist claims he was badly injured. Amy Lawrence of Kalamazoo, testified by videotape Monday that two apparent backstage staffers asked afterward if she was OK, but …