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Erin Goff, St. Joseph County’s emergency management services director, said the agency on Monday virtually activated its emergency operations center. Goff provided details to members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners, who staged their twice-a-month executive committee meeting Wednesday. It was conducted through Zoom teleconference. Goff said the activation stage means keeping an open line of communication between …

Two people were arrested following a home-invasion incident in Florence Township. State police troopers were called Monday afternoon to a residence on Lutz Road regarding a home invasion in progress. Authorities said the homeowners came home during the incident and one of the two suspects was in a car parked in the driveway. The person drove from the scene but …

Michigan is sending half of the 400 ventilators it received from the federal government to Detroit-area hospitals that are facing a surge of coronavirus patients. The state health department said the remaining 200 breathing machines will be set aside for seven regions that have fewer COVID-19 patients at this time. The number of COVID-19 cases reported statewide reached 9,334 Wednesday, …

Households eligible for Food Assistance Program benefits will receive additional benefits in April to bring all current SNAP cases to the maximum monthly allowance for that group size. According to the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division of the Michigan State Police, this change only applies to customers not currently receiving the maximum benefit amount. Michigan Department of Health and …

A former Three Rivers man will serve eight to 20 years for a drug-related offense. Kerry Richards II, 43, was sentenced recently for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver. Richards pleaded guilty to the charge in April 2019. He also entered guilty pleas to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Richards was arrested in March 2019. Other …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency continues to provide updated information for COVID-19 cases in the tri-county area. Agency officials said Tuesday’s count includes the first identified cases in Branch County outside of Lakeland Correctional Facility. As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, the number of positive cases in the three-county jurisdiction includes four cases in St. Joseph County, 15 cases in …

Hundreds of new health care graduates from Michigan State University are available to respond to the coronavirus outbreak. State officials have made a desperate plea for health professionals to treat people as the number of virus cases rises each day. MSU says the state has created a temporary license for nurses who usually first take a national exam. Doctors from …

Though most of its programs originally scheduled through April have been canceled, the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy has announced its preserves are open and available to anyone in need of some time outdoors. Conservancy official Miko Dargitz said people should still practice social distancing outdoors. Still, he said, the 17 preserves and their trails are open during the governor’s stay-at-home …

A house in Florence Township was burglarized earlier this month, according to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called to the 62000 block of Constantine Road, where suspects forced entry into the residence. Items stolen include a freezer, refrigerator, microwave and stove, women’s clothing, children’s toys and bicycles, a dinner table and chairs, dishes …

Statement of Toby Thomas, President and Chief Operating Officer of Indiana Michigan Power, updating communities in the I&M service territory regarding delivery of energy service during the coronavirus pandemic: Thank you for this opportunity to update the community about the status of Indiana Michigan Power at this crucial time. I&M does not anticipate any interruptions in our service related to …