News

A 14-year-old girl who was shot in the head during a mass shooting in southwestern Michigan continues to make strides in her recovery. Video posted on YouTube shows Abigail Kopf walking, saying “hi” and waving to the camera at a Grand Rapids rehabilitation center. Vickie Kopf told WOOD-TV on Monday that her daughter is “doing great” and has “the willpower …

Authorities say the former executive director of an ambulance service in southwestern Michigan misappropriated nearly $100,000 in funds from the nonprofit. The Berrien County prosecutor’s office announced Tuesday that 49-year-old Timothy Gray of Clermont, Florida, is charged with embezzlement of $50,000 to $100,000. The Associated Press left a message seeking comment Tuesday with a lawyer for Gray. He’s free on …

The February unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was unchanged compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 3.7 percent February unemployment rate was equal to the figure posted for January. February’s unemployment rate, however, was 1.1 percent less than the same month a year earlier, …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is reporting the first flu associated death this year, as the number of flu cases caused by Influenza A, H1N1 strain, increase. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is now reporting widespread flu activity throughout the state. Widespread means that outbreaks of influenza or increases in influenza-like illnesses are being reported, and …

Two public hearings and six matters of new business, including a contract for street-sweeping services, will be fielded this evening by the Three Rivers City Commission. Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners are expected to stage public hearings on a zoning amendment at 1001 Wood Street and surrounding parcels, and an IFT request for precision wire form. New business includes a …

Seven cases of chickenpox have been reported to the health department’s St. Joseph County office this past week. In January, the Michigan Disease Surveillance System confirmed seven cases in Hillsdale County; most of these cases involve school-age children. According to Michigan law, all students are required to be immunized with two doses of Varicella vaccine or have had a history …

Authorities say two people suspected in robberies in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan have been taken into custody following a traffic stop. The Steuben County sheriff’s department in Indiana says 32-year-old John Morgan and 29-year-old Nickole Collins were arrested early Monday near Cincinnati in Hamilton County, Ohio. They’re awaiting extradition to Branch County, Michigan, where Morgan faces charges including bank robbery …

Police say a $1,000 reward is being offered for information after a local cemetery was hit by vandalism that caused more than $50,000 in damage. Police in Sturgis say more than 30 headstones were destroyed at Oaklawn Cemetery sometime from Friday to Sunday and a small building on the property also was vandalized. According to the city’s website, the cemetery was established …

A county-owned building is being targeted as the location of a new health clinic for low-income and indigent St. Joseph County residents. But at least one commissioner made clear he will not support a plan to pay for costs associated with remodeling the site. During last week’s county commission executive session, commissioners discussed a bid from Brussee/Brady Inc. of Three …

A dog had to be shot to death Friday after it attacked a mail carrier and police officer in Sturgis. According to a Sturgis Police Department media release, officers were called around 4 p.m. to a residence in the 400 block of South Jefferson Street following a report of a dog attacking a mail carrier. Sturgis officers and the dog’s …