Health and Wellness

The Sturgis Fire Department has started its 2012 “Keep the Wreath Green” campaign. Department officials said they have placed at the front of the North Nottawa Street station a wreath clad in green lights, except for the top, which is yellow to honor those in the armed forces. Every time the department responds to a fire call, a red bulb …

An undisclosed amount of heroin and prescription drugs were found in a vehicle stopped Tuesday on U.S. 131. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said four Grand Rapids residents were in a southbound vehicle stopped near Arnold Street in Three Rivers. A motorist had informed central dispatch it appeared the driver may have been intoxicated. Three Rivers Police initiated the …

The Michigan House on Wednesday approved legislation introduced by state Rep. Matt Lori that allows the Michigan Department of Community Health to use email to notify Medicaid providers of changes in policy. The House bill allows the DCH to email changes to the Michigan Medicaid Provider Manual instead of using the U.S. Postal Service, as currently required. Lori said the …

Supporters and opponents of a proposed non-motorized trail way made their feelings clear about a 20-mile stretch of abandoned railway between Sturgis and well into Branch County. The former Indiana Northeastern Railroad Co. route is being sought as a route for bicyclists, joggers and walkers. Residents who live adjacent to the rail bed, however, have cited lack of privacy and …

Two high-ranking St. Joseph County officials met with 11 local pharmacists Tuesday to discuss strategies on reducing the sale of products that include an ingredient essential in the manufacturing of methamphetamine. Prosecutor John McDonough and Liz O’Dell, executive director of community mental health and substance abuse services of St. Joseph County, staged the meeting as a way of attempting to …

The 22nd annual Lights of Love at Three Rivers Health has set a fundraising goal of $12,000 this year. Campaign chair Diane Reece said proceeds will be used to purchase new equipment for the laboratory at Three Rivers Health. Each donation of $3 or more will add a light to the tree. The light symbolizes the memory of a loved …

The Oasis restaurant, a Three Rivers eatery that sustained heavy damage in a Sept. 14 fire, re-opened last week. Owner John Samoilis said the reconstruction process was a laborious task but completed in time for it to open Thursday last week. Though the cause of the fire was not determined, the blaze was confirmed to have started in the kitchen.

A St. Joseph County woman has been identified as one of 13 state residents who have died in a national outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to contaminated steroids. Viola Copsey, 87, of Constantine received a steroid injection in September at a clinic in Elkhart as treatment for a back problem. She passed away Monday last week at Heartland Health Care …

Sturgis Police arrested a man over the weekend after he failed to stop for officers shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday at North Lakeview Avenue and Oakwood Drive. The driver of the 2010 Ford Explorer fled to an address in the 1000 block of Oakwood, where he exited the vehicle and approached the officer. The suspect had to be physically detained …

The final public presentation of a non-motorized trailway master plan will be offered at 5:30 p.m. today at Sturgis Township Hall. The plan was developed in partnership between Sturgis, Fawn River, Sherman and Burr Oak townships, and the city of Sturgis, Sturgis Hospital, and the Sturgis Area Community Foundation. Centering on an abandoned railroad line from Sturgis to Coldwater, the …