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A northern Indiana hospital has fired eight employees who refused to get flu shots the hospital says are needed to protect patients from the potentially deadly illness. IU Health Goshen Hospital officials told its staff in September that flu shots would no longer be optional for staff, affiliated physicians, volunteers and vendors. Hospital spokeswoman Melanie McDonald says the new requirements came as …

KALAMAZOO- If the Kalamazoo Wings (13-15-2-1) continue playing into the New Year like they did to end the last, things could get real interesting in the ECHL’s North Division. Taking on the first place and affiliated player heavy Cincinnati Cyclones (19-10-2-0) for the 11th Annual New Year’s Eve Bash at Wings Stadium on Monday, the K-Wings used a full court …

Lindsay Howes, Three Rivers city clerk, plans to announce her resignation from the position in order to take a job working for St. Joseph County. A four-member interview committee has chosen Howes to serve as St. Joseph County grant writer, a job vacant since Marcia Saunders left the post in April 2011. Howes’ appointment to the job is contingent on …

Members of the White Pigeon Village Council took a look ahead to 2013 and, during their December meeting, identified areas they hope to address in the coming 12 months. Council President Dan Czajkowski (chi-KOW-ski), said the projects ranged from painting the exterior of the village’s water tower and park improvements, to curb and building repairs, and reviewing and enforcing signage …

Fawn River Township officials were recently informed the value of agriculture land is climbing steadily. Assessor Dale Hutson shared with township officials at their December meeting the average selling price of farmland in other area townships. He said property in Leonidas Township has topped $8,600 per acre, $8,000 an acre in Mendon Township and about $7,500 an acre in other …

Sturgis officials have approved city staff to purchase a portable ice-skate-rink kit. The $5,000 was a budgeted item, as city officials have indicated their interest in the purchase and use of such a community-friendly attraction. Though a firm location has not yet been identified, commissioners agreed two high-profile places where the rink could be set up are at Oaklawn Park …

This will be my last column for 2012. I’m taking the rest of the year off. How many times do you think you’ll hear that today? Everybody wants to be a comedian, including yours truly. I try to be funny, or clever, and this column gives me an outlet to do that sometimes. 2012 has been a pretty good year …

A 15-year-old boy from Sturgis faces a charge of unlicensed driver following a one-vehicle crash at 5 p.m. Thursday in Nottawa Township. St. Joseph County Sheriff Brad Balk said deputies were called to an area near River Run and Angevine roads in response to a vehicle that skidded off the road. Investigators found that a Ford Explorer heading east on …

St. Joseph County’s two newest judges were sworn-in during a ceremonial program, called an investiture, Friday afternoon at the county courthouse. With more than 100 people, including members of their families, witnessing the solemn process, Probate Court Judge David Tomlinson and Circuit Court Judge Rob Pattison took their oath of office, administered by Clerk Pattie Bender. They will serve six-year …

A “Firefighters for Santa” event last week made a brighter holiday for 71 Three Rivers and Three Rivers-area families. Major contributions from Meijer and Armstrong International resulted in more than $6,000 allocated for food and toys purchased and given to area families in need. Members of the Three Rivers Fire Department met Sunday and delivered door-to-door the bags of donated …