News

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has been collaborating with local health departments on a multistate foodborne outbreak of listeriosis. Rebecca Burns, director of the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, said listeriosis is a bacterial infection that causes fever and muscle aches, often preceded by gastrointestinal symptoms. Twelve people in six states have been infected with the outbreak …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners has renewed its annual contract with Michigan State University for extension services. During the board’s meeting last week, commissioners OK’d the contract that calls for the full-time equivalent of one extension educator, whose collective duties will include field-crops expertise, program coordination and additional 4-H programs. The county will provide office space, utilities, high-speed internet …

White Pigeon village officials over the weekend lifted a boil-water notice that had been in effect more than two weeks. Municipal officials had notified residents Jan. 7 that the presence of coliform bacteria had been detected in the water supply. Since then, they were urging residents to boil water before use or use bottled water. White Pigeon Department of Public …

A motion regarding an employee-assistance program for St. Joseph County’s government workers was passed during the county commission’s Jan. 19 meeting. The agreement is with Windward Employee Solutions and will provide counseling and referral services for appropriate treatment, and diagnostic and assessment services. The county’s commitment of $5,555 covers helpline and three appointments annually for its 220 employees and their …

A spay-and-neuter reimbursement grant has been awarded to St. Joseph County. County grant writer James Hissong told county commissioners last week that a $15,000 grant was received from an anonymous foundation. The grant will allow the county to provide spaying or neutering services for dogs and cats at its animal control department. Hissong said the grant will eliminate what could …

A coal-fired passenger ferry that carries people and cars across Lake Michigan between Wisconsin and Michigan is getting National Historic Landmark designation. The 410-foot SS Badger launched in 1952 can carry 600 passengers and 180 vehicles. It’s the last coal-fired steamship operating on the Great Lakes. The designation, which had been sought for years, was announced this week. Operators have …

Representatives from the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging will open the new Sturgis senior citizen center on April 8. Lynn Coursey, COA executive director, said the event is being planned in conjunction with Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce and will include a ribbon cutting at 5 p. m., followed at 7 p.m. by a ticketed event that serves as …

Members of the Mendon Community Schools Board of Education have authorized a special election for the renewal of 18 operating mills. The non-homestead property tax renewal ended its 20-year life with the 2015 tax levy. Its continuation will allow the district to collect tax dollars from properties that are non-homestead within its boundaries. District officials said the 18 mills generate …

The state says Michigan’s annual average unemployment rate fell in 2015, marking the sixth straight yearly decline. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget said Wednesday that the preliminary annual average unemployment rate was 5.4 percent last year, down from the 2014 annual rate of 7.3 percent. The 2015 measure was slightly above the 5.3 percent national annual rate. …

The family of a Battle Creek woman who was killed by a downed power line has won a crucial court decision in a lawsuit against Consumers Energy. The Michigan appeals court says it was “reasonably foreseeable” that an injury could occur from failing to inspect a power line in a residential area. The court overturned a decision by a Calhoun …