Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s husband urged a business to get his boat in the water in time for Memorial Day weekend, according to social media posts, while she was publicly telling cooped-up residents to resist flocking to popular vacation areas during the coronavirus pandemic. Personal Facebook posts from NorthShore Dock owner Tad Dowker are no longer available. But The Detroit …

Norman Wayne Essex, age 77, of Marcellus, passed on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at home. He was born in Dowagiac on November 25, 1942 the son of Frank Dixon Essex and Edith Francis (Alden) Essex. On March 7, 1964 he married Marilyn (Sue) Kahler who survives. Wayne was a Journeyman working for GM for many years. He loved animals especially …

St. Joseph County Commission on Aging is looking toward returning to normal service by the end of June or early July, executive director Tim Stoll told COA board members Wednesday at their meeting. In addition, the agency is hoping to return to five-day-a-week delivery by mid-June, Stoll added. Daily, weekday service will be done regardless of whether the governor’s executive …

Michigan’s Marijuana Regulatory Agency has expanded the number of communities eligible for the “Social Equity Program” from 41 to 184. The program allows those who resided in the areas for five of the past 10 years to obtain discounts when obtaining adult-use marijuana licenses. These now include Sturgis, Sturgis Township, Three Rivers and White Pigeon Township. The municipality or township …

Pathfinder Educational Center will not hold a traditional graduation this year, although the hope is to reschedule for fall. Teresa Belote, superintendent at St. Joseph County Intermediate School District, informed the ISD board of the decision last week. Each week, Pathfinder’s Facebook page highlights one senior, featuring his or her photos, plans and favorite things. An address is provided to …

Camp Fort Hill’s day camp for 2020 has been canceled due to restrictions related to COVID- 19. The decision to cancel day camp was made last week by the Camp Fort Hill board of directors, with guidance from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. A statement addressing the community …

A 21-year-old man faces a charge of open murder following an incident Thursday in Three Rivers. According to a media release from the Three Rivers Police Department, police were called at 9:43 a.m. to the 300 block of Middle Street. Upon arrival, investigators found a 59-year-old Three Rivers man dead at the scene. Due to the nature of the incident, …

Michigan Department of Transportation has announced work on M-86 in Colon Township will begin next week. According to agency spokesman Nick Schirripa, the work will take place over a stretch of M-86 from Farrand Road east to Kane Road at the Branch County line. The $987,000 project involves resurfacing the 2.2-mile stretch and includes a new concrete curb and gutter, …

Indiana Michigan Power, on behalf of the American Electric Power Foundation, has announced issuance of grants totaling more than $700,000 to help communities in Indiana and Michigan amid the coronavirus pandemic. The funds throughout Indiana and Michigan will be available to local not-for-profits to support basic human needs such as housing assistance, shelter and food for those in need and …

Members of the Constantine Village Council decided to put the proposal of adult-use marijuana before the village’s voters. The board voted 6-to-1 Monday at its virtual council meeting. Council members have been discussing the topic since passage of the 2018 Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act, and approved eleven licenses for medical marijuana previously. Each licensee pays an annual …