Michigan on Monday surpassed a 55% COVID-19 vaccination rate, reaching a milestone that will lead to the automatic easing of in-person work restrictions in two weeks. Employers currently must prohibit onsite work if employees’ jobs can feasibly be done remotely. The state anticipates lifting the rule on May 24, said COVID-19 workplace safety director Sean Egan. The 55% benchmark is …

William J. Sanderson, age 68, of LaGrange, passed away Sunday, May 9th, 2021, at the VA Hospital in Marion, IN following an extended illness. William was born on August, 10th 1952 in LaGrange, to Frank and Leona (Shafer) Sanderson. He spent a majority of his life living in LaGrange. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, competitive shooting and traveling. William was a …

Sharon Lynn Baker, age 83, of Sturgis, passed away early Thursday morning, May 6, 2021 at her home with her daughter and son-in-law by her side. Sharon’s beautiful smile and contagious laugh was a daily reflection of how much she loved life, family, friends… and a tall glass of iced wine. In her glory days she would serenade friends at …

A 16-year-old girl from Constantine was not injured after the car she was driving went off the roadway and crashed into a house in Florence Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said the incident occurred shortly before 11 a.m. Friday. Authorities said the girl was driving a Chevy Monte Carlo northbound on Lutz Road when she swerved to avoid crashing into the …

Two people were arrested in connection to the theft of items from a barn in Cass County’s Jefferson Township. Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called around 2 a.m. Monday after an Edwardsburg officer came across a suspicious vehicle towing a golf cart on M-62 near Oil City Road. The vehicle sped up, leading the officer on a …

The Branch Hillsdale St. Joseph Community Health Agency is encouraging anyone who received one or both COVID-19 vaccines out of state to visit the agency so their data can be entered in the Michigan Care Improvement Registry. This can be accomplished by visiting the BHSJCHA between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at its office in Coldwater, Hillsdale …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the larceny of a chainsaw. The incident occurred between noon and 6 p.m. April 28 in the 100 block of Robbins Road in Bronson Township. The victim told authorities a red and black Jonsered chainsaw was stolen from an enclosed porch area of a house.

The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging is pleased to announce that Alex Kelley is the new Life Enrichment Coordinator for the COA. Kelley, a Sherwood resident, is a familiar face to COA members as she has been the receptionist at the Oaks Enrichment Center in Sturgis since May 2018. Kelley, who attended Burr Oak High School and Glen Oaks …

Douglas James Keefer, age 67, of Sturgis, passed away Monday morning, May 7, 2021 at his home. He was born April 24, 1954 in son of the late Charles Russel and Myrtle Keefer. Doug resided most of his life in Sturgis. He had been employed by the Kirsch Company in Sturgis for several years until the closing of the company. …

Mildred Ida (Saddison) Pearson, age 96, died peacefully early Thursday morning on May 6, 2021 in Kalamazoo. Millie, as she was known to friends and family, was born to Charles and Thelma May (Harding) Saddison on September 13, 1924 in Sturgis. On May 13, 1942 she married Axel Clyde Pearson in Goshen. They were married for 47 years and raised …