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An 11-year-old girl who was hospitalized for burns following a northern Indiana house fire has died, bringing the fire’s death toll to six children, all of them siblings, authorities said Monday. Angel Smith died Friday at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, the Marion County Coroner’s Office said in a Monday update. Her death was confirmed one day after a vigil was …

December’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County and its neighbors increased mildly from November. Figures from the monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget show St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate rose from 3.5 percent in November to 3.8 percent in December. The county’s December rate from a year earlier was 4.1 percent. Cass County also …

Three people were found to be in violation of terms of their probation following a compliance check last week in Three Rivers. Conducted Thursday, the compliance check involved Three Rivers Police Department, Michigan Department of Corrections, Michigan State Police Southwest Enforcement Team and Michigan State Police Computer Crimes. The check centered on parole and probation compliance. In all, nine checks …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the larceny of lawn equipment from a location in Fabius Township. Authorities said the incident occurred between Dec. 13 and 14 in the 61000 block of Youngs Prairie Road. Items taken include a Lincoln brand stick welder, a Stihl trimmer and attachment, a brush trimmer attachment and a Hot Shot prod handle.

St. Joseph County Commissioner Jared Hoffmaster has been chosen to serve as chairman of the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency Board. Hoffmaster, a Fabius Township resident and former Three Rivers City Commission member, was named chairman during last week’s organizational meeting. He had previously served as the board’s vice-chair. Hoffmaster took over the gavel from Brent Leininger of Hillsdale County. …

As of this writing, we are experiencing sloppy roads and temperatures in the thirties. Looking out at the lake we can see one lone fisherman. We check on him every few minutes to make sure he hasn’t fallen through a crack in the ice. I’m not a fisherman, and if I was I wouldn’t be out on the ice today. …

At her annual State of the State address Wednesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced her plan for universal free pre-K and community college, a move hailed by Michigan Education Association President Chandra Madafferi as a game changer for Michigan. Madafferi said Whitmer is the most pro-public-education governor in Michigan’s history. The Oakland County teacher said the governor’s plan to provide every …

A Constantine restaurant owner’s idea to give back around the holidays has grown into a movement involving many people weeks later. WOOD-TV recently featured Katrina Carpenter, owner of Piper’s Grinders Galore. Carpenter said a so-called “no-judgment” meal ticket board was added to the Constantine eatery back in November. The meal ticket board features receipts of meals paid for by customers. …

Van Buren/Cass District Health Department is recommending vaccination against influenza and COVID-19, as the agency is dealing with a surge in cases. With the simultaneous threat of these respiratory illnesses, vaccination is a critical tool to protect public health and prevent overwhelming the healthcare system, department officials said. In recent weeks, Van Buren and Cass County have experienced a notable …

Sturgis Bancorp has announced that Eric Eishen is retiring after 45 years of service. The announcement of Eishen’s retirement marks the completion of a planned succession process that began in July 2022, when Eishen turned over day-to-day operations of the community bank to Jason Hyska as chief executive officer and Matt Scheske as president and chief operating officer. Eishen, who …