News

Pfizer is expected to start building a new pharmaceutical production facility in Kalamazoo County. The drugmaker broke ground Wednesday on the multi-story, 420,000-square-foot building on Pfizer’s global manufacturing campus in Portage, MLive.com reported. It is expected to bring 450 new jobs to the area. The $465 million facility is expected to be in operation in 2025, according to Pfizer. The …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday doubled Michigan’s daily COVID-19 vaccination goal to 100,000 shots. She cited continuous week-over-week increases in vaccine allotments the state is receiving and an expanded number of providers who can administer doses. She called vaccinations safe, effective and essential to getting the country back to normal. “These new, higher vaccine targets are a testament to what …

Officials with the St. Joseph County United Way are looking for vendors interested in being a part of the upcoming Yards, Barns and Brews event. It runs 2 to 8 p.m. May 7 and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 8 at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds. Yards, Barns and Brews also affords local groups and businesses the opportunity to …

Abbott’s Magic Get-Together in Colon is planning a return in 2021, but event organizer Greg Bordner said things will be a bit different. Bordner, president of Abbott’s Magic, said seating to the four nightly showcase presentations will be limited to 500 people, about half of the normal capacity. In an effort to maintain the same group of attendees nightly, Bordner …

Registration is underway for summer and fall semester at Glen Oaks Community College, where students will find an increase in on-campus classes. According to Michael Goldin, vice president of academics, the school would typically start fall semesters with about 85 percent of its classes in the traditional, face-to-face format. This past fall, nearly half of GOCC’s classes were held in-person. …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has removed all barriers to receiving the COVID-19 vaccination in the tri-county area. Health officer Rebecca Burns said everyone 16 years of age and older can schedule an appointment at a clinic offered by the agency to receive the vaccine. As of a week ago, positive COVID-19 cases were at 11.2 percent in Branch …

Three Rivers police last week arrested a parole absconder who broke into a residential garage. Officers were called at 8:15 a.m. Friday morning to the 300 block of Spring Street, where the victim told authorities someone broke into his garage and he was sure the suspect was still on the premises. Officers heard the suspect and called in the services …

The Sturgis Area Foundation recently awarded $10,000 to Sturgis High School Athletics Booster Club. Athletic director Andy Hatt said the donation is greatly appreciated, as concession sales at home games for various sports have been far below average because of a limited number of spectators allowed at each event. The foundation’s Youth Advisory Council awarded the grant request. The $10,000 …

Organizers of a longtime, spring tradition have decided to postpone their 2021 event. Officials with the Three Rivers Classic and Antique Restorers Club recently agreed to take a pass on the Old Car Dust-Off in Mendon. The event would have been the 57th Dust-Off on May 2 at Mendon High School. Club president Heidi Alexander said the show will hopefully …

An arraignment was held last week for Centreville’s village treasurer, who is charged with two counts of embezzlement. Court officials said Carol Kotschevar, 59, was arrested March 5 on the charges, and released on bond the following day. Kotschevar was arraigned Thursday on separate charges of embezzlement of funds $20,000 or more. The charges stem from incidents at two area churches. Personal …