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Tyler Royce was recently promoted to White Pigeon fire chief. He succeeds Troy Andrews, who recently left the department to pursue another opportunity. Royce was assistant chief for 13 years and has spent 20 years in the fire service. A 2002 White Pigeon High School graduate, Royce is also village president, owns a business and operates the local food pantry. …

A five-year, $3 million project undertaken by St. Joseph County Central Dispatch was completed last month. Director Dennis Brandenburg said the process led to the agency’s transition from Very High Frequency to Ultra-High Frequency, an 800 megahertz system. Brandenburg said including St. Joseph County, about three-quarters of the state’s 83 counties now operate on a system featuring the UHF signal. …

The St. Joseph County prosecutor, who is accused of drunken driving, told police that he crashed into a fence after a “coughing fit,” according to a 911 call. The incident involving county prosecutor John McDonough occurred Monday in Lockport Township, on the north side of Three Rivers. “Hey, this is John McDonough. I had a coughing fit and went off …

Coronavirus cases grew by a small percentage while deaths increased by 55, the Michigan health department said Saturday. The state noted that 19 of the deaths could have occurred days or weeks ago. Some information takes time to get recorded as records are reviewed and matched. The statewide number of confirmed virus cases reached at least 50,504, compared to 50,079 …

Burt Reynolds and Jackie Gleason were on the big screen as a drive-in movie theater in Branch County reopened, despite business shutdowns during the coronavirus. Capri Drive-In co-owner Susan Magocs said she needs to make money but still can keep visitors safe. The theater’s two screens opened Friday night near Coldwater. “We don’t want to cause trouble. We are just …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Friday it is her “hope” that K-12 schools can reopen for in-person instruction in the fall and created an advisory council to recommend ways to ensure a safe and equitable return. The governor, who closed schools in March to curb the coronavirus, stopped short of saying schools definitely will be allowed to reopen in late August …

Michigan will confront multibillion-dollar declines in tax revenue and record-high enrollment in government health insurance programs — a double whammy from the coronavirus pandemic that may lead to major cuts in services. Legislative experts and top officials in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration agreed to revised budget estimates Friday after hearing economic forecasts. The steep downward revision from revenue estimates issued just four …

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that occurred earlier this week in Park Township. According to a department media release, deputies were called Monday to W.F. Wells, in the 16000 block of Heimbach Road. The suspects entered the building and stole a 2000 Ford F250 Crew Cab, silver in color with no tailgate. It had a 2016 Sure Trac …

A Sturgis company has partnered with the Sturgis Area Community Foundation to generate more than $170,000 for programs and initiatives serving area residents. Since March 18, GT Independence and the foundation have returned $177,500 to the community. John Carmichael, CEO of GT Independence, said his company contributed $100,000 to the local cause while the Sturgis Area Community Foundation and its …

Parent Advisory Council of St. Joseph County, comprised of a group of parents whose children receive special-education services in several diagnostic categories and school districts throughout the county, recently announced its recipients of an annual awards program. PAC holds a reception every May to honor people who were nominated and won awards in various categories. Though it was unable to …