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Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has announced expansion of its partnership with libraries offering free at-home testing kits to Michiganders. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive, said the partnership is one more tool to keep communities safe. She said testing has become convenient with many locations and the increased availability of over-the-counter tests. Participating libraries in the tri-county …

A fundraiser to support fire departments in two St. Joseph County Communities takes place next week. Amish members representing Colon and Burr Oak are offering a smoked pork chop and grilled chicken dinner 4 to 8 p.m. April 22. The event takes place at 59321 Nottawa Road, just north of Truckenmiller Road in Nottawa Township. Also on the menu is …

U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency in Michigan announced St. Joseph County residents who are owners of non-industrial, private forests damaged by the series of storms last August are encouraged to apply for the Emergency Forest Restoration Program for cost-share assistance in restoring their disaster-damaged forest. The application deadline is May 13. Tim Boring, Farm Service Agency director in Michigan, said …

Centreville Public Schools Board of Education members recently approved a contract with the Centreville Education Association. During its meeting March 28, the board agreed to terms of a one-year contract, which covers 47 staff members. Union members agreed to the contract during a vote March 25. Interim superintendent Chad Brady said negotiations were resolved over the course of just three …

Sheriff’s deputies were called last week to investigate the theft of irrigation wire from a location in Sturgis Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called to the area of U.S. 12 and Elaine Drive. The victim told authorities an unspecified amount of irrigation wire was taken prior to the date the incident was reported.

A jury on Friday acquitted two men of all charges in a plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer but couldn’t reach verdicts against the two alleged leaders, a stunning defeat for the government after a weekslong trial that centered on an FBI sting operation just before the 2020 election. The decisions were announced a few hours after the jury said it was …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer filed a lawsuit Thursday asking a Michigan court to recognize the right to get an abortion under the state constitution and to overturn a 176-year-old ban in the state that might take effect again if the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Roe v. Wade ruling is vacated. The Democratic governor’s preemptive lawsuit, which was filed in Oakland County against …

Michigan insurers that require health providers to get pre-approval to cover treatment will have to promptly respond to doctors’ requests or those requests will be automatically granted under legislation signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday. Supporters said the law will speed delays in care and provide more transparency around the process known as prior authorization. Starting in June 2023, a non-urgent …

Constantine municipal officials Monday approved a two-year contract for village manager Mark Honeysett. Honeysett’s previous contract expired March 31. With a new contract in hand, Honeysett’s annual salary is $88,000. Village council members were asked to prepare an assessment of the past performance of the village manager. Results were compiled, summarized and presented in a six-page report, which was reviewed by the personnel …

Michigan Department of Transportation officials said $196 million in federal COVID relief funds appropriated by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Legislature will allow the state to execute Phase II of MDOT’s bridge-bundling program, beginning later this year. In all, 19 bridges – including one in Nottawa Township – were selected for rehabilitation. The bridge in question is on Nottawa Road, south …