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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday further relaxed stay-at-home restrictions, lifting a ban on nonessential health procedures late next week and letting residents immediately gather socially in small groups before the Memorial Day weekend. Retail businesses can reopen by appointment only, starting Tuesday, as long as there are no more than 10 customers inside at a time. People are required to …

An arraignment for St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough, who was cited last week for driving while intoxicated, has been delayed until June. McDonough was to appear in St. Joseph County 3B District Court today (Thursday) but court officials said the case has been assigned to Judge Vincent Westra of Kalamazoo County 8th District Court. The new court date is …

St. Joseph County’s second death related to COVID-19 was confirmed Tuesday by Emergency Management Director Erin Goff. Addressing St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners, Goff said the county also had an increase in its total number of confirmed cases, which stood at 90 as of 3 p.m. Tuesday. The figure represented three new cases from the previous day. The new …

Two area high schools plan events Friday to honor their graduating seniors. Colon High School’s 29 seniors are invited to be a part of “Senior Send-Off” at 2 p.m. Friday. The drive-around-town event begins and ends at the high school and will cover most major streets in the village, as well as Elm Street and Frank Avenue. Meanwhile, Centreville High …

Members of the Centreville Village Council voted Monday to delay a policy related to body-worn cameras until it can come up with additional language. The policy applies to cameras worn by the village’s designated ordinance enforcement officer, building official, plumbing inspector, zoning administrator, mechanical inspector and electrical inspector. Cameras are for use during the conducting of search warrants, and placing …

Iceberg Enterprises in Sturgis recently took a number of steps to protect its employees after an undisclosed number of workers tested positive for COVID-19. Company officials two weeks ago were advised that a number of employees had tested positive for coronavirus. As a result, company officials evacuated the facility and launched what it called a deep cleaning/aeration procedure. Although the …

Organizers of the St. Joseph County Grange Fair said, for now, the 2020 fair is still on. The fair’s board of directors said in a statement Monday it continues to monitor the coronavirus pandemic but it plans to move forward with the tradition. Plans may need to be adjusted depending on the state of matters in September, the board said. …

A 28-year-old White Pigeon man was charged with possession of stolen property and other offenses following his arrest last week. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called Friday to the American Legion parking lot in Three Rivers regarding a suspicious vehicle. With assistance from Three Rivers Police, deputies noticed the vehicle was pulling an enclosed trailer registered to a Kansas-based …

Due in part to the COVID-19 shutdown, the Salvation Army thrift store in Sturgis has closed. Company officials, however, said Salvation Army will continue to offer its other services. Sharyn Tennyson, who oversees the Salvation Army in St. Joseph and Branch counties, made the announcement Monday. She said the thrift store has historically struggled to financially meet the expenses of …

Michigan’s top election official said Tuesday that absentee ballot applications will be mailed to all 7.7 million registered voters for the August primary and November general election. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said the step — announced as the state continues to confront the coronavirus pandemic — ensures no one “has to to choose between their health and their right …