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The flu season is well underway in Michigan, and State Department of Community Health officials are urging residents to get vaccinated, before the end of the year. Jennifer Smith, of the Michigan Department of Community Health, says influenza activity normally peaks between January and April in Michigan, which is why those six-months-of age and older need to be vaccinated now since …

Nearly 24 percent of St. Joseph County’s 12,488 residents 60 years of age and older are receiving some type of service from the county’s Commission on Aging, a report last week showed. If those numbers hold in 2014-15, it means taxpayers will provide about $760 of funding per client to deliver everything from nutrition services and in-home care to senior …

Several members of the Three Rivers Fire Department had the opportunity to play Santa during Tuesday’s eighth annual Firefighters For Santa event. Josh Griffin, a fireman/paramedic, said about three months of planning culminated with the delivery of toys to more than 60 families in Three Rivers, and Lockport and Fabius townships. An additional 30 children benefited from the event through …

A traffic signal at the intersection of South Nottawa and Congress streets will not be replaced with a four-way red flashing light, according to Sturgis municipal officials. City commissioners agreed last week to deny an engineering recommendation to change the signal. Traffic studies had shown the intersection does not meet signal standards. The majority of the board objected to making …

The Michigan Strategic Fund has approved $12.5 million in grants to support the construction of a 550,000-square-foot pork-processing facility in Branch County. The Clemens Food Group operation will acquire 450 acres at the southeast corner of I- 69 and Jonesville Road in Coldwater Township. It is expected to create more than 800 jobs and $255 million in total investments. Grant …

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! My name is Tunie and I am a female tortie, about 8 months old. I have short hair and a very pretty coat. I like people a lot and am very friendly. I surely would like to go to a new home for Christmas or the new year. Please visit me and see how cute I am. My …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners met in executive session last week to discuss a potential land acquisition. Administrator Pat Yoder said the property in question is in the Centreville Industrial Park and could serve in the future as a satellite location for county operations. No action was taken on the potential purchase, other than Yoder being instructed to continue …

Volunteers from The Salvation Army and Sturgis Toy Run came together last week for a food and toy giveaway. Staged at the Sturgis Armory over a two-day period Monday and Tuesday, literally tons of food were given away and about 1,700 toys, according to Nick Metzger, Salvation Army case manager. About 200 families, including 520 children, were helped by the …

The St. Joseph County Department of Human Services board recently voted to provide a total of $3,500 to three area agencies. DHS director Cindy Underwood said a $500 donation was made to the St. Joseph County United Way K-9 Fund. Once the fund reaches $12,000, it will allow for the purchase of a new dog for the Sturgis Police Department. …

The White Pigeon Fire Department collected more than 2,600 pounds of food to be shared with 50 White Pigeon families over the holidays. Assistant fire chief Tyler Royce said the department’s food drive began in November with “Fill the Fire Truck.” Along with the help of local mail carriers, 1,700 pounds of nonperishable food were collected. On Dec. 13, firefighters …