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Michigan will fully lift outdoor capacity limits on June 1 and, starting July 1, end indoor gathering caps that were put in place to curb COVID-19, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Thursday in a major loosening of economic restrictions. The state has limited occupancy in restaurants and other venues since March 2020, when the coronavirus hit. The announcement, which includes raising …

A St. Joseph County steering committee, formed to identify the fate of nearly $12 million in federal funds, held its first meeting this week. Though specifics of the meeting weren’t stated, St. Joseph County Administrator Teresa Doehring told commissioners Tuesday that the gathering was a good starting point. It took place earlier in the day Tuesday. The parties involved were …

The Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy has been awarded $1 million from Kalamazoo River Natural Resources Damages Assessment settlement funds to purchase a 140-acre property in Allegan County. The property, the Armintrout-Milbocker Nature Preserve, is located just outside downtown Allegan and along the west bank of the Kalamazoo River. Conservancy officials said the heart of the property features 100 upland acres of mostly …

A number of minor details were taken care of at Tuesday’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting. First, commissioners approved the $8,900 purchase of a mobile/video recording system for animal control officer Greg Musser and his vehicle. Commissioners also approved an exception to the hiring freeze, granting undersheriff Jason Bingaman’s request for a typist/clerk. The position pays about $57,000 …

Area law-enforcement agencies responded this week to a report of mail theft. Sheriff’s deputies and state police troopers responded Monday to an area of Mintdale Road near Burg Road in Florence Township regarding mail scattered along the roadway. Investigators found mail throughout the area, which appeared to have been taken from mailboxes in Florence, Sherman and White Pigeon townships. Authorities …

A Constantine man was arrested this week after leading authorities on a high-speed pursuit that originated in Constantine Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies early Sunday morning attempted to stop a vehicle for a speeding violation in the 14000 block of North River Road. The pursuit covered several miles, Lillywhite said, and reached high speeds as it continued into Mottville …

St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department deputies were involved in a pursuit last weekend that ended in Mottville Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said the incident started Saturday evening when deputies attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation near the intersection of Dickinson Road and Burke Road. The suspect’s vehicle traveled a number of miles before the pursuit ended in …

State police troopers are investigating the larceny of a catalytic converter from a location in Mendon Township. The incident took place Thursday night or Friday morning last week in the 24000 block of Clark Road. Troopers said there is a notable rise in theft of catalytic converters in the region.

The woman responsible for the largest animal-hoarding incident in St. Joseph County Animal Control’s history was sentenced last week. Appearing Friday before circuit court judge Paul Stutesman, Diane Pitone was ordered to pay restitution of nearly $5,000 to the Centreville-based animal-control agency. Taking into consideration a number of factors, Stutesman did not order jail time or probation. Appearing via Zoom …

Stretches of five different rivers will be targeted for the 11th season of the St. Joseph County Conservation District’s River Cleanup program. Scheduled to begin in June, the 11th cleanup season will feature two June sessions, one in July and wrap up with a pair of weekday events in August. Carolyn Grace, conservation district executive director, said the schedule is: …