News

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has released its annual deer hunting preview just ahead of the deer hunting seasons, which begin Sept. 11. Overall, conditions are looking excellent for the upcoming seasons, and deer hunters can expect hunting to be as good or better than last year. Hunters who have viewed the 2021 Hunting Digest may have noticed a …

The state issued updated guidance Wednesday to help Michigan schools and local health departments navigate whether asymptomatic students who have been exposed to a coronavirus-infected student should quarantine at home or stay in school. A change: Unvaccinated but masked students who were less than 3 feet from a COVID-positive student for at least 15 minutes can remain in school but …

Three elected officials who voted to award themselves bonuses with federal COVID-19 money are facing a recall campaign in Shiawassee County. The county election commission approved petition language Tuesday, The Argus-Press reported. If the petition survives an appeal after 10 days, recall supporters plan to start collecting signatures to force an election in 2022, roughly 1,100 for each of the targeted county commissioners: …

Due to an increase in local COVID-19 cases, Sturgis Hospital is limiting exposure by setting visitor guidelines, effective immediately. Shari Ransberger, vice president of quality risk management at Sturgis Hospital, said tests for COVID-19 at the hospital revealed about a 13 percent positivity rate. That compares to about 2 percent of positive cases in tests two months ago, Ransberger said. Visitors …

L.A.’s Coffee Cafe in Three Rivers is the latest recipient of Sen. Kim LaSata’s “Small Business of the Month” award. L.A.’s Coffee Cafe was co-founded in 2000 by Leslie, Jerry and Aimee Robbins. LaSata said not only does the Robbins family dedicate their lives to serving their customers, but they have routinely demonstrated a commitment to their community. Since November …

A partnership between St. Joseph County Grange Fair and Covered Bridge Healthcare aims to enhance already-established first-aid offerings at the fair. The Centreville-based clinic will collaborate with “Nurse Betty” Meyer and her crew with the goal to make the annual event even safer for everyone involved. Medical presence on the grounds will begin Sept. 18 and continue through Sept. 26, ensuring coverage …

A new Dollar General store in Sturgis opened last month. The store, located next to Stoughton Estates at 1308 N. Nottawa St., rose from an empty lot beginning in early-spring 2021. The store is expected to employ six to 10 people. To commemorate the opening of the new Sturgis location, Dollar General, through a partnership with the Kellogg Company, plans to …

A Marcellus boy was injured after the driver of a dirt bike on which he was a passenger experienced a problem with the throttle. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were notified around 2:30 p.m. Sunday about the incident that took place in the 500 block of Snyder Street in the village of Marcellus. Investigators said the dirt bike was operated …

St. Joseph County has a small allocation of funds for residents who need assistance with emergency home repairs, such as furnaces, water heaters, plumbing issues, roof replacement, electrical and sewer repairs, and well replacement. The money available is a zero-interest loan with no payment due until the house is sold, title transferred, or the owner/borrower no longer resides at the …

A Public Health Order addressing COVID-19 quarantine measures has been issued by the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. The order details requirements for any individual who resides, attends school, or is employed within Branch, Hillsdale or St. Joseph counties, and who is notified that they are a COVID-19 close contact. Health officer Rebecca Burns said after consultation with the agency’s …