A two-vehicle crash on North Van Dyke Road in Lamotte Township last week sent one driver to the hospital. A 19-year-old Cass City man rear-ended a slowing 53-year-old Decker woman’s Hummer near Mushroom Road. The impact pushed both vehicles into ditches. Emergency crews treated both on scene, and the woman was taken to Aspire RHS in Cass City. Authorities say neither drugs nor alcohol were factors, and the names involved are being withheld pending further investigation.

New internal government data shows more than half of Sarnia-Lambton’s long-term care homes fell short of the provincial standard for hands-on resident care in ’23 & 24. Six out of ten local facilities did not meet the target of 3 hours and 42 minutes of daily direct care per resident. Non-profit and municipal homes generally outperformed for-profit operators, with Sumac Lodge providing the lowest average at just under three hours per resident. The province plans to raise care standards to four hours per day.

Huron County funeral home director Terry Alvin Kaufman appeared in court last Thursday as proceedings focused on exchanging evidence, not new details of the alleged embezzlement. Kaufman’s attorney requested discovery materials be sent on a flash drive instead of by email to handle more than 4,000 pages efficiently. The state was also allowed to share tax records with both sides. Kaufman faces multiple felony charges including embezzling nearly $193,000 from 55 victims over the past decade. He is scheduled for a preliminary exam on January 9th

Blue Water Home Care & Hospice is holding its first “Light Up a Life” campaign under its new name, inviting local families to honor loved ones this holiday season. Blue lights will cover the Tree of Remembrance, each symbolizing someone special who has passed and the caregivers who supported them. Donations stay right here in the Blue Water area, helping provide quality hospice care for families who cannot afford it. The campaign runs through December, and residents can contribute to remember someone meaningful while supporting neighbors in need. Visit bwhch.org/lul

East Bernard pulled off a stunning upset Friday night, knocking off undefeated Tidehaven 34-31. A month after losing 59-6, the Brahmas flipped the script with two touchdowns in the final three minutes. Quarterback Dan Bartlett threw for 412 yards, including the go-ahead score moments after East Bernard recovered an onside kick. A late interception sealed the win. The Brahmas are now 10-4 and advance to the state semifinals against Newton. Coaches called it a dream come true for a team that refused to quit.

El Campo City Council will meet tonight with two big items. Members will consider renaming the Willie Bell Park pavilion after Gloria Harris, the first Black woman to serve on the council and a District 2 leader for 30 years. They will also review stricter Civic Center rules banning confetti, fireworks, fog machines and anything blocking cameras, with security allowed to shut down events if needed. Parking rules return to discussion, and TxDOT seeks approval to build a driveway at no cost. The meeting starts at 6 at City Hall and is open to the public.

Cold wind chills didn’t stop families from filling downtown El Campo Thursday night as more than 70 brightly-lit floats rolled through the Christmas parade. Crowds bundled up along the streets for the “Santa’s Southern Stop” celebration, cheering dancers, classic cars, and school bands. Kids raved about the Grinch floats, fire trucks, and a visit from Santa himself. Parade judges selected “Toy Story” as best commercial entry and Wharton High School Band as top marching group. The evening wrapped up with the official tree lighting and plenty of hometown holiday spirit.

Wharton’s Monterey Square Business Association is planning a snow-filled holiday night downtown from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19t. The group expects food trucks, vendors, face painting, Christmas music, Santa, and real snow. City Council will be asked this evening to close South Fulton, waive fees, and provide cleanup supplies. Council will also handle a local hay permit request, approve emergency ambulance repairs, and make several board appointments. The meeting is open to the public at 7 at City Hall.

A federal jury convicted 45-year-old Kyle Lee Dean of assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury for a violent knife attack on the L’Anse Reservation on January 20, 2024. Dean stabbed the victim nearly a dozen times at a Keweenaw Bay Indian Community home; rapid medical intervention saved the victim’s life. The case was investigated by the FBI, Michigan State Police, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Tribal Police, and the Village of L’Anse Police, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hanna Rutkowski and Theodore Greeley. Dean’s sentencing is scheduled for 2026.

The Wisconsin Department Of Transportation has announced announced Price County’s construction projects for 2026 at its most recent meeting of the county Traffic Safety Commission. . Projects include a 10.3-mile safety upgrade on County Road D due to begin in May 2026 and run through November of 2027 with single-lane closures for curve reconstruction and guardrails. Two full-closure bridge replacements are planned on Hill Road/Aabajijiwani-Ziibiinsing Creek starting in June 2026, in Worcester and Larkin Road/Holmes Creek starting in May 2026 and running through November of 2027 in Ogema. Speed limits on State Highway 13 in Park Falls are under review with a report due in early March. Intersection improvements at State Highway 13, 111, and Little Chicago Road involve sign relocation, flashing beacon upgrades, replacing the State Highway 111 stop sign, and adding double stop signs/red reflective strips to State Highway 111 and Little Chicago Road approaches.