COLDWATER — Local health agencies are expected to get twice the amount of COVID-19 vaccines next week, according to state, federal and local officials.But the state now allocates COVID-19 vaccine based on a "social vulnerability scale" in each county, said Rebecca Burns, health officer at Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, at a meeting of the board Thursday.The agency is told at the end of each week what it will receive for the next Monday [...]
More COVID-19 vaccine expected next week
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Stempien pleads his case in dog shooting plea bargain
COLDWATER — Branch County Prosecutor Zack Stempien issued a press release Thursday after a number of animal rights groups expressed concern about the plea bargain with Alex Carr over the shooting of his German Shepard last June.The incident "caught the attention and hearts of many in our community. When charges were filed, the Branch County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office set out to seek justice for the dog (now called) Janey, who was passionately named by those caring [...]
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Celebrities who call Branch County home
Editors note: This week, The Daily Reporter features local residents who have met celebrities. Today, residents who also have been in the national spotlight.Not all celebrity sightings are far away. Branch County has an impressive list of people on the national stage, past and present, who you may also have passed in the grocery store.Coldwater favorite native son from the past is the late race car driver, Scott Brayton.Brayton was killed in a crash [...]
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Education moving forward at BISD
In a year of rapid change in education, things may be getting more on an even keel."We’re back in business, so to speak," said Kris Jenkins, Branch Intermediate School District superintendent, at the January board meeting.Branch County schools are mostly back to in-person classes. Some districts and/or grade levels are in hi-bred, others every day.Many BISD staff have gotten the COVID-19 vaccine, she said. Others are scheduled or planning to get it. [...]
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Appreciation expressed for BISD board
At the January meeting of the Branch Intermediate School District board, Kris Jenkins, superintendent, honored members as part of School Board Recognition Month."In a year full of challenges for public education not seen in recent history, our school board members persevered through the adversity of 2020 to provide the best possible education for our students," Jenkins said. "Celebrating School Board Recognition Month is one of the very small ways to express appreciation for all [...]
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Celebrities who performed at Tibbits Opera House
Editors note: This week, The Daily Reporter has featured local residents who have met celebrities. Today, a look at celebrities who have graced the stage at Tibbits Opera House.Tidbits Opera House has been a show destination in downtown Coldwater since 1882. All manner of entertainers have been on the stage these 139 years.It’s hard to compete against the greats like P. T. Barnum and Jumbo the Elephant in the early years.Time went on and [...]
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Road Commission ready for weekend storm
Branch County Road Commission plow trucks are ready with another winter storm on tap for tonight and tomorrow, according to the National Weather Service, but the brunt is expected to stay south of the state line.Road Commission Manager Jay Miller said his 30 trucks are loaded with salt and sand, ready to hit the road when the first snow starts to accumulate.NWS said up to nine inches of snow will fall Saturday night into Sunday in northern Indiana and Ohio. [...]
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ProMedica administers COVID-19 vaccine
COLDWATER — You can now get COVID-19 vaccines through ProMedica Coldwater Regional Hospital if you meet CDC criteria of Phase 1a and 1b.The hospital sent emails and announced Friday "If you are an eligible patient, you will receive a message in your MyChart account to schedule your COVID-19 vaccination."The hospital had been receiving vaccines for its staff and those with direct patients care. Now it has opened up its system for others in the community. [...]
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Another county bridge needs emergency repairs
BRANCH COUNTY — Another bridge in Girard Township will need emergency repair after two inspections rated the Hog Creek crossing on River Road as "poor."The new load limit is now down to just 6 tons after a January re-inspection.Road Commission Manager Jay Miller said fire departments were notified of the limit which is below the weight of most fire trucks. Coldwater Fire serves the township along with Tekonsha Fire.Miller said farm trucks in the rural [...]
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Stoll started two new jobs in January
BRANCH COUNTY — Community service runs in Tim Stoll’s family. It was a reason he began two new jobs Jan. 1.The Sherwood Township native was sworn in as District 1 Branch County Commissioner. He ran without opposition to replace Terri Norris who ran for prosecutor.Stoll also took over as the chief executive officer at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis.It is a not-for-profit retirement community featuring a variety of housing, services and quality [...]
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Patrons happy to be back in restaurants
On Monday, restaurants in Michigan were once again allowed to be open for dining with some strict guidelines, including 25 percent capacity and a 10 p.m. curfew.But that’s better than nothing, some restaurant owners say."It’s a relief to be open," said Julie Kast, co-owner of The Stables in Quincy.Julie and her husband, Julian Kast, decided to buy The Stables in November 2019 and closed the deal on March 16, 2020, the day the nation-wide shutdown [...]
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Albarran appointed to Bronson school board
Jose Albarran was appointed to the Bronson Community Schools Board of Eduation Monday. He is the first member to represent the Bronson Hispanic community.The board seat was opened when Mike Roberts resigned after being reelected in November.Seven men applied for the position, all those who were in the November race, Frank Barker, Chad Everett, Donald Mlliman and Jim Webb. Albarran, Craig Furney and Jordon Houtz added their names to the list.Four of the five [...]
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Bird droppings cover courthouse walkways
BRANCH COUNTY — This fall and winter, the walks around the Branch County Courthouse and Annex are covered with bird droppings. The mess is even splattered on building windows.Vehicles in nearby parking lots became inadvertent targets.Attempts to remove large flocks of what courthouse staff called crows met with only limited success. A couple of times, maintenance crews used a power washers to clean the walks and entrance only to have the waste droppings back the [...]
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West sentenced for Union City damage spree
COLDWATER —Zeek West, 19, is back on his medication with his behavior under control. He will be on probation for 18 months after admitting guilt to a malicious destruction of property spree in downtown Union City on May 10.Branchy County Circuit Judge Bill O’Grady said he must comply and cooperate with members of the Pines Behavioral Act Team, who continue to monitor him and help him with various living issues and his mental condition.West must also pay [...]
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Planning board considers animal ordinance
COLDWATER — Animals in Coldwater has been the most challenging zoning issue encountered by Coldwater Planning Commission over the last couple of years.The city has used animal cruelty laws to remove farm animals from residential homes because it does not have an ordinance to cover animals in the city.After looking at a proposed ordinance Monday during its virtual meeting, the commission sent Planner Dean Walrack back to work.Most complaints are caused [...]
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BACC students support ’Family Promise’
Business students at Branch Area Careers Center used skills they are learning in class to help homeless people in Branch County.The students donated the profits, $1,942, from their Group Mogul project-based learning ventures to pay the rent for Branch County Family Promise."The students really knocked this one out of the park," said Joe Sobeske, program manager of the business program at BACC. "The students chose their product design, researched their target market, [...]
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Man sentenced after home invasion charge dismissed
Azocar sentenced after home invasion dismissedCOLDWATER — Sam Azocar, 33, will be on two years probation for possession of methamphetamine he was delivering July 24.Circuit Court Judge Bill O’grady gave Azocar credit for 128 days served on a nine-month sentence and suspended the remainder.Prosecutor Zack Stempien dismissed a home invasion charge from Sept. 3. Azocar had pleaded guilty to that offense. He said he was at a West Clarke Avenue house [...]
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Planning commission approves fifth adult-use marijuana permit
Coldwater Planning commission approves fifth adult marijuana shop permitCOLDWATER — "Do we want Coldwater to become ’Potville’?" asked planning commissioner member Dave Rumsey Monday at the board’s virtual meeting.The commission was set to approve the special-use permit for a fifth adult-use marijuana retail store at 880 East Chicago St."We approved four. How many marijuana shops is too many?" Rumsey asked.Commissioner [...]
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DNR asking for help finding deer-poacher
DNR looking for deer poachers in Noble townshipBRANCH COUNTY — Local Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers asking the community for help to find the person who shot and left a button-buck deer in a field near Dauber Road and Round Lake Road in Noble Township.The location is just east of the St. Joseph County line.A land owner found the buck Monday afternoon and called DNR. The officer suspects the deer was killed late Sunday or early [...]
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Altrusa supports Tibbits
Tibbits Opera House was the recipient of the Altrusa International of Branch County Community Service donation at its meeting Wednesday.Christine Delaney, on behalf of Tibbits, accepted a $750 check from Carrie Stout, chairman of the community Service committee. Delaney took a few minutes to thank Altrusa and provide an update about programming being scheduled, COVID-style, for this summer.
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