The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has announced the state will be moving to Phase 1B starting today. As a result, people 65 years of age and older, as well as frontline essential workers, are scheduled for the next round of vaccination. The latter group includes police officers, first responders, state and federal frontline workers, jail/prison staff, and …

A portion of a White Pigeon business was saved from a fire last week. Crews managed to protect the first floor of Jerry Kash Inc., 660 W. Chicago Road. Firefighters were called to the location at 3:30 a.m. Wednesday after a passerby saw smoke coming from a barn behind Kash’s front office building. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke and …

How2Media, producers of the television show “World’s Greatest! …” announced it has selected Shipshewana Trading Place & Flea Market to be a part of the television series. Home of the Midwest’s largest flea market, Shipshewana’s market features 700 vendor spaces over a 40-acre area. It also includes weekly antique, and livestock and horse auctions. As part of the show, How2Media …

All three local high school football teams involved in the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s regional finals were victorious Saturday. Now, Centreville, Constantine and Schoolcraft are one win from playing for a state title. Centreville beat Sand Creek, 8-to-0. The Bulldogs will travel to Oakland County to take on Clarkston Everest Collegiate in a Division 8 contest. Meanwhile, in Division …

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a hit-and-run, property-damage incident that occurred earlier this week in Park Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said authorities were called at 1:15 p.m. Monday to the 20000 block of M-60, where a vehicle crashed into a gas station. The driver of the vehicle assaulted a clerk after being confronted about the crash. The suspect then drove from …

Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cathi Garn Abbs is a week away from retirement. Abbs, who has overseen the chamber for more than 18 years, will retire Jan. 15 and is to be replaced by Michael Wilson. Abbs said she is impressed by the high number of members for a community the size of Sturgis. She expressed her …

St. Joseph County Prosecutor David Marvin appeared Tuesday before county officials with hiring requests. Two days into his new job, Marvin was successful in his appeal to hire Gary Gabry as chief assistant prosecutor. As a result, Josh Robare will pivot to the role of assistant prosecutor, joining Casey Johnson. A third assistant prosecutor position remains vacant, though Marvin indicated …

St. Joseph County commissioners addressed a number of annual housekeeping items during their inaugural meeting of 2021 Tuesday. The five-member panel agreed to keep their twice-a-month meetings at 5 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Executive committee meetings will also stay unchanged: 8 a.m. the Wednesday before a commission meeting. Also Tuesday, commissioners approved their annual appropriations. …

The initial 200 doses of COVID-19 vaccine received by the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency are expected to be administered within the next week. Health officer Rebecca Burns told the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday there is a demand for more Moderna vaccine to satisfy the number of people in the highest category of need in the …

Three Rivers municipal officials have announced city hall will remain closed to the public, and employees will continue to work remotely when possible. City officials will remain available by phone or email weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Meanwhile, residents are encouraged to mail payments or use one of the drop boxes at city hall. Bills can also be …