Gov. Gretchen Whitmer scaled back COVID-19 workplace safety rules on Tuesday, keeping mask and other requirements only in health care settings. The change coincided with the lifting of broad indoor capacity restrictions and face covering mandates that had been in place for 15 months. The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s new emergency rules align with federal regulations that aim to protect health workers …

Michigan is fully open again. After 15 months of capacity restrictions and being hit by the country’s worst surge of coronavirus infections this spring, Michigan’s restaurants, entertainment businesses and other venues can operate at 100% occupancy starting Tuesday. Limits on large indoor gatherings such as weddings and funerals are gone. So is a broad requirement that the unvaccinated be masked indoors, a …

Janice Louise Holderead (nee Jones), age 67, passed away on Saturday, June 19, 2021. Beloved wife of Bruce Holderead for 49 years. Loving mother of Chris Holderead. Dear daughter of Betty and the late Paul Jones. Sister of Sally Cotton (James) and Randy Jones (Diane). Grandmother of Delaney, Addison, and Paige. Janice was a much loved middle school teacher at …

St. Joseph County reached a dubious milestone, as its 100th person to die from COVID-19 was recorded late last week. Officials from the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency said the 100th death occurred 15 months after the pandemic first reached the county in March 2020. Agency officials said there have been more than 5,500 cases of the coronavirus in St. …

A Sherman Township residence was destroyed by fire that authorities believe was caused by a lighting strike. The incident occurred Friday morning during a storm that included a fair amount of lightning. A specific location of the residence was not indicated by authorities. Nobody was home at the time of the fire and there were no injuries suffered by members …

Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport reports continued growth in passenger traffic during the month of May. A year-by-year comparison shows growth of 788 percent compared to the COVID-decimated travel month of May 2020. Craig Williams, airport director, said the airport handled 14,088 passengers last month, up from 12,370 the month before. However, Williams said, the May 2021 count is down more …

Roman Brooks Hubbard-Penn was born peacefully sleeping on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 and had already departed us spiritually in his mother’s womb. Roman was born to Johnathan Penn and Brooklyn Hubbard of Sturgis. Roman spent his short life experiencing nothing but love and admiration. He enjoyed kicking his mom really hard after eating sour candy and doing somersaults when it …

Dean Ray Reames, age 85, of Three Rivers, passed away Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at Edgewood Health & Rehabilitation. Born October 22, 1935 in the house on the family farm of Clarence L. and Ertah (Clark) Reames, Dean was the youngest of four siblings.  He continued to live on that farm his entire life, and made his living raising hogs …

Coreen Elenor Osborn (Smith), age 66, of Three Rivers, passed away suddenly Thursday, December 31, 2020 at Three Rivers Health. She was born August 11, 1954 in Dowagiac, the daughter of Edward and Elenora (Shetron) Smith. Coreen was a lifelong resident of Three Rivers where she raised her children and worked as a Property Manager for Medallion Property Management. Coreen …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency and Branch District Library have partnered to bring COVID vaccine clinics to patrons using the agency’s mobile clinic. The mobile operation will be available at the Branch District Library’s Quincy site noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday, and noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Coldwater branch. In addition, it will partner with the Bronson …