Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration on Friday lifted a prohibition on in-person instruction at Michigan high schools and said movie theaters and other entertainment venues can reopen with capacity restrictions following a decline in coronavirus cases. Universities and colleges can let students return to campus next month, with a voluntary commitment to wait until Jan. 18 to restart face-to-face classes. Indoor …

Snowy conditions were cited as a factor in a two-vehicle collision earlier this week in Sherman Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies responded around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday to the intersection of Featherstone Road and M-66. Investigators said a Dodge passenger car was eastbound on Featherstone Road and unable to stop at the intersection due to snow-covered road conditions. Lillywhite said …

The Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce has issued a media release regarding its impending move to North Main Street. President/CEO Christy Trammell said due to unexpected construction delays, the chamber will settle in a temporary location. Starting Monday, it will have a temporary office at 1510 N. Main St. Unrelated to construction, Trammell said the office will be closed …

In an effort to safeguard its campus from COVID-19 for winter semester, Glen Oaks Community College is moving a larger percentage of its in-seat classes to online or hybrid formats. The college’s coronavirus task force made the decision recently following an uptick in COVID-19 cases in St. Joseph County. There is potential for an increase in positive cases and additional …

Maxine Arlene Warkentine, age 84, of Hudson, IN and formerly of Mendon, died Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020 at Cameron Memorial Community Hospital in Angola. She was born in Leonidas on Jan. 28, 1936 the daughter of George and Marjorie (Woodworth) Harrison. She graduated from Colon High School with the class of 1954. Maxine was married to Emil George Warkentine on …

A veteran employee for the city of Three Rivers is leaving her position to take a job with St. Joseph County. City clerk Melissa Bliss said she is stepping down to take the job of deputy clerk in the office of St. Joseph County Clerk Lindsay Oswald. The 43-year-old Bliss announced her plans during Tuesday’s Three Rivers City Commission meeting. …

Two Detroit-area women were arrested after attempting to smuggle contraband into Lakeland Correctional Facility in Coldwater. State police troopers were contacted in February 2019 about a package sent via FedEx to the prison. Hidden inside the package were drugs and cell phones intended for prisoners. A joint investigation was started with the Michigan Department of Corrections, and an inmate and …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the larceny of a generator last week in Branch County’s California Township. The victim said the theft occurred on Delmar Road between Dec. 8 and 10. The Generac brand generator is orange and black.

Members of the Sturgis City Commission opened their Dec. 9 meeting with good news for a longtime resident. The city hosted the annual “Christmas Cash 50/50” raffle, with proceeds to benefit St. Joseph County United Way. Resident Myah Burkey drew the winning name from a basket: Gwen Donmeyer, who was awarded $3,740. Last year’s winner was given more than $3,300, …

Connie Louise Metty, age 75, of Centreville, passed away Thursday, December 17, 2020 at Fairview Nursing & Rehabilitation. She was born February 22, 1945 in Three Rivers, the daughter of Robert and Helen (Hovarter) Baughman. After graduating from Centreville High School, Connie worked at Denton Mills in Centreville. She worked as a nurse’s aide at Fairview and Heartland for many …