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A ban on popular high school winter sports was lifted Thursday by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration, days after frustrated parents and anxious teens rallied at the Capitol to try to persuade officials that basketball, wrestling and hockey could safely take place during the coronavirus pandemic. Whitmer said science, not protests, made the difference. Nonetheless, many school officials said they believe …

St. Joseph County Commission on Aging is continuing to provide treats, craft kits to-go and exercise classes on its Facebook page and YouTube channel. In addition, the nutrition department frequently provides special treats and cards to seniors receiving Meals on Wheels. Ruth Mancina, COA marketing and life-enrichment manager, said the pandemic has had a major impact on seniors. But, she …

Members of the Constantine Village Council voted unanimously Monday to approve the wording in a recreational marijuana permit application. It is limited to five provisioning centers, three cultivating centers, two microbusinesses, one processing center and no limit on transportation. Village manager Mark Honeysett said the application is straightforward and nearly identical to the village’s medical marijuana permit application. It includes …

Glen Oaks Community College is receiving additional funding from U.S. Department of Education to ensure student education continues during the COVID-19 pandemic. Glen Oaks will award nearly $290,000 in emergency grants through funds from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund and authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. Students must be enrolled in the winter 2021 semester …

A proposal to change the day and time of St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners’ executive committee meetings remains in a holding pattern for at least another week. The matter was raised during the board’s meeting Tuesday. The five-member board broached the issue last week after commissioner Jared Hoffmaster said he has a work-related conflict with the second executive committee …

St. Joseph County commissioners made an exception to the county’s hiring freeze and agreed Tuesday to fill the position of chief public defender. The $90,000-a-year position is required by the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission. Its funding is paid through a grant from MIDC. The chief public defender develops, implements, oversees and directs the county’s Public Defender Office, and the indigent-defense …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution urging the suspension on winter high school contact sports be lifted. The “Let Them Play” resolution has been supported by a number of Michigan school districts. Also during their meeting Tueday, commissioners also approved Ryan Banaszak and Sandy Hall to the board that oversees Community Mental Health …

Sturgis Area Community Foundation collaborated with local service clubs last month to provide a number of grants to Sturgis teachers. With support from the foundation, Sturgis Noon Kiwanis Club, Sturgis Eastside Kiwanis Club and Sturgis Lions Club, the grants were awarded in support for classroom grants benefiting 13 local teachers. The grants were awarded for “Leader in Me” take-home bags; …

Michigan on Tuesday began accepting applications for tuition-free assistance from adults 25 and older to earn an associate’s degree or postsecondary certificate at a community college or private training school. The Michigan Reconnect program is being supported with an initial $30 million in state funding, enough to cover approximately 30,000 people. Applicants must be at least 25, have lived in …

A Michigan man is accused of backing a van into a northern Indiana city’s fire department building after he first tried unsuccessfully to crash it into a nearby police building. James Campbell of Edwardsburg, faces felony charges of resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, auto theft and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, The Elkhart Truth reported Campbell, 34, was …