State Rep. Aaron Miller and the Michigan House approved several bipartisan measures to continue protecting and helping Michigan families during the remainder of the COVID-19 pandemic. Miller said the proposals would assist workers and job providers, and protect nursing home residents in the wake of the recent Michigan Supreme Court ruling that struck down the governor’s coronavirus-related executive orders. Senate …

Michigan State Police troopers responded to an accidental shooting of a 3-year-old Tuesday evening in Branch County’s California Township. Investigators were called around 6 p.m. to a residence in the 800 block of South Ray Quincy Road. Several children, all under the age of 5, located a loaded pistol in a bedroom while the adults were in another part of …

A Sturgis man died in a two-vehicle accident Tuesday in Fawn River Township. Michigan State Police troopers were called at 12:47 p.m. to U.S. 12, near Carls Road, in response to an accident involving injuries. A 2003 Jeep Liberty, driven by a 43-year-old Sturgis man, was westbound on U.S. 12 when a 2001 Ford F-150 crossed the centerline and struck …

For the second year in a row, the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has received a state grant for the purchase of lock boxes to provide to the community at no charge. The boxes will ensure marijuana is locked up around kids and teens. To kick off the Lock It Up campaign, the agency ordered 900 boxes to provide to …

Park Elementary School in Three Rivers is set to reopen Monday, after three people in the building tested positive last week for COVID- 19 and prompted school officials to close the building a week ago. Two students tested positive Oct. 6, with a staff member testing positive the preceding weekend. School officials announced later that day that learning would shift …

Speed may have been a factor in a personal-injury incident over the weekend in Cass County’s Penn Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 8 p.m. Sunday to the intersection of Dutch Settlement Road and East Street in response to a motorcycle involved in a crash. Central dispatch received a 9-1-1 call regarding a subject walking up a driveway in the …

The Salvation Army in St. Joseph County will begin accepting applications for Christmas assistance beginning today through Nov. 13. Applicants are required to provide a photo ID for head of household only, birth certificates or shot records for each child age 16 and younger, and proof of income for the entire household for the last 30 days. The Salvation Army will serve …

Glen Oaks president David Devier said the college will continue to practice enhanced safety measures put in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. During last week’s board meeting, Devier said Glen Oaks will continue following the safety measures at least through the end of the current semester. Devier said those on campus will be asked to continue wearing …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has agreed to ask Michigan’s governor for direction on how to remove prosecutor John McDonough from office. The issue was brought up during their meeting last week, six days after extensive discussion at their executive committee meeting. In the end, commissioners agreed to pursue the letter despite the fact McDonough’s term expires in less …

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating an armed robbery that took place last week in an area of Lockport Township. Deputies responded shortly after 2 a.m. Friday to North Main Street, where the victim told authorities he was in his vehicle when he was approached by a black man who appeared to be in his early 30s. The suspect was further described …