In compliance with Gov. Whitmer’s extension of the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order, Sturgis city facilities will continue to remain closed to the public through at least May 15. Other measures the city has adopted to help prevent the spread of coronavirus and encourage social distancing will continue. Those measures include closure of city hall, Doyle Community Center and …

State Sen. Kim LaSata last week was appointed to the newly formed Joint Select Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic. The joint-select committee with subpoena power was established by the adoption of House Concurrent Resolution 20. In addition to reviewing how the state reacted to the coronavirus, the committee also will explore policy solutions to better prepare for any future emergencies …

An anonymous community member in Mendon helped spearhead a drive that netted the school district 6,000 diapers. The diapers were given in bundles of 100 to 60 families who also were on hand Friday for the school’s weekly food distribution. Superintendent Leasa Griffith said the organizer of the diaper drive did not want to be identified but was instrumental in …

Rosalie D. Fromm, age 91, of Fulton, died Friday, April 24, 2020 at Shaffer Senior Residence in Battle Creek. She was born in Charlotte, MI on Feb. 17, 1929 the daughter of Herbert P. and Anabelle (Franz) Smith. She graduated from Climax High School. Rosalie was married to Harold A. Fromm and was a farm wife and longtime employee of …

The Centreville Village Council recently voted to put on the November ballot a request for one-quarter of a mill for upkeep of sidewalks, parking lots and alleys. Department of Public Works supervisor Michelle Thibideau said about 95 percent of the village’s sidewalks are damaged and need to be replaced. If the millage is approved, it would eliminate property owners’ responsibility …

The 2019 National Corn Yield Contest has honored a Burr Oak man. Garrett Walters was recently acknowledged through the contest sponsored annually by the National Corn Growers Association. Walters placed second in the state in the Strip-Till, Minimum-Till, Mulch-Till, Ridge-Till Irrigated Class with a yield of more than 275 bushels per acre. The hybrid used in the winning field was …

Michigan Department of Transportation has announced it is continuing Stage 5 traffic on the U.S. 131 redevelopment project. As a result, two-way traffic on the southbound side of U.S. 131 through the length of the project will continue. This week, there will be some utility relocation work ongoing throughout the project, while roadbuilding work will continue north of Coon Hollow …

The PFAS investigation in White Pigeon has come to a standstill due to the COVID- 19 stay-at-home order, according to Paul Andriaachi, environmental health director at the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. He noted that letters were sent to 14 additional homes in an expanded-investigation area. That came after 19 homes near GPI Midwest were tested for the chemical. Fourteen …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday lengthened her stay-at-home order through May 15, while lifting restrictions so some businesses can reopen and the public can participate in outdoor activities like golf and motorized boating during the coronavirus pandemic. The measure immediately replaces one that was scheduled to expire next week. Michigan has nearly 3,000 deaths related to COVID-19, behind only New York and New Jersey …

Richard Vlasak, age 79, of Marcellus, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. He was born in Tabor, South Dakota on March 14, 1941 to parents, Clarence and Helen (Noll) Vlasak.  He married Carole Ann Hlavac on September 4, 1965 at St. Wenceslaus Church in Tabor, South Dakota. Dick served four years in the United States Navy.  After, he went …