News

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has seen an increase in positive cases of illness related to campylobacter, a bacterium typically caused by under cooking or improper handling of raw meat. Paul Andriacchi, director of environmental health services, said summer grilling and meat-smoking season typically result in an increase in such cases. Safe-cooking techniques include hand-washing with soap before and …

Today, officials of the Three Rivers Wastewater Treatment Plant notified the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency (BHSJ CHA), that approximately 500,000 gallons of untreated wastewater was discharged into the St. Joseph River starting Friday July 7, 2023 at approximately 9:30 p.m.  The discharge area is located near the Broadway Street Bridge due to a force main break. Persons are advised to …

A White Pigeon Township woman has re-filed petitions in an attempt to recall two members of the White Pigeon Township Board of Trustees. According to St. Joseph County Clerk Lindsay Oswald, recall petitions were submitted July 3 by township resident Anita Casada. She is targeting supervisor Don Gloy and his wife, treasurer Trudy Gloy. Oswald set a clarity/factuality hearing for …

Victims of a two-vehicle crash June 30 in White Pigeon Township have been identified. St Joseph County Sheriff’s Office Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said 29-year-old Rosalie M. Yoder and 27-year-old Marcia Ann Miller died after the car they were in left the roadway and struck a tree. Both women were from Shipshewana. Bingaman said deputies were called shortly after 10:30 p.m. …

Winners of last week’s Palmer Lake Flotilla in Colon Township have been announced. The theme of this year’s event was “State Pride,” encouraging participants to choose their favorite state and decorate their pontoon boats with a relevant theme. The entry of Tennessee claimed first place, won by Tom and Ginger Peak and friends. A Florida-themed boats won second place, claimed …

Cass County Animal Control is dealing with an overwhelming influx after taking in more than 200 animals discovered in a man’s home over the past 14 months. Bobby Archer II, 39, is facing charges after 106 animals were found in his former Dowagiac home last year. WWMT News Channel 3 is reporting Archer faced similar charges on two separate occasions …

Saturday’s White Pigeon Days community festival, Day 2 of the three-day celebration, features a full slate of events and attractions. The midway on South Kalamazoo Street opens at 9 a.m. and concessions open at 10. Home Depot is sponsoring its “Kids and Crafts” attraction between 10 and 11 a.m. and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. if enough materials remain. Other Saturday …

Branch County authorities are on the lookout for a man who was following a jogger last week. Sheriff’s officials said they were notified shortly after 10 a.m. June 28 that a woman who was jogging near Warren Road and Lake Drive in Ovid Township reported a man in a pickup was following her. The woman told investigators she ran away …

St. Joseph County Conservation District is just over a week away from conducting its second of four river-cleanup events of 2023. Volunteers are encouraged to help out, as the July 15 event will follow the Rocky River from Null Road at the Fabius/Flowerfield township border to Hanks Tavern on the River. Volunteers should show up by 9:15. Conservation District Director …

Branch and St. Joseph counties are in a severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor report issued last week. With heavy early spring rains, drought conditions are not yet a problem for farmers but could get worse as summer progresses. The drought is also serious for home gardeners who must water to maintain growth. Jeff Andresen, an agricultural meteorologist …