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Republicans who control the Michigan Senate urged Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday to lift her five-week-old ban on nonessential medical and dental procedures, saying the decision to resume should be left to hospitals and health providers. The resolution, while symbolic, is the latest move by GOP lawmakers who are pushing the Democratic governor to ease restrictions she adopted to curb the …

A black bear nicknamed Yogi was struck and killed Tuesday on a highway ramp in the Grand Rapids area, police said. The bear, an adult male weighing roughly 250 pounds, had been spotted for a few years in Walker. He was hit by a large truck on a ramp leading to westbound Interstate 96. “There were no injuries to the …

In compliance with Gov. Whitmer’s extension of the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order, Sturgis city facilities will continue to remain closed to the public through at least May 15. Other measures the city has adopted to help prevent the spread of coronavirus and encourage social distancing will continue. Those measures include closure of city hall, Doyle Community Center and …

State Sen. Kim LaSata last week was appointed to the newly formed Joint Select Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic. The joint-select committee with subpoena power was established by the adoption of House Concurrent Resolution 20. In addition to reviewing how the state reacted to the coronavirus, the committee also will explore policy solutions to better prepare for any future emergencies …

An anonymous community member in Mendon helped spearhead a drive that netted the school district 6,000 diapers. The diapers were given in bundles of 100 to 60 families who also were on hand Friday for the school’s weekly food distribution. Superintendent Leasa Griffith said the organizer of the diaper drive did not want to be identified but was instrumental in …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Monday she will allow commercial and residential construction to restart in Michigan within a week or two and is taking a “hard look” at whether to let industrial sectors like manufacturing reopen in the next phase of loosening her stay-at-home restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic. The Democratic governor also said she will ask the Republican-led Legislature …

The Centreville Village Council recently voted to put on the November ballot a request for one-quarter of a mill for upkeep of sidewalks, parking lots and alleys. Department of Public Works supervisor Michelle Thibideau said about 95 percent of the village’s sidewalks are damaged and need to be replaced. If the millage is approved, it would eliminate property owners’ responsibility …

The 2019 National Corn Yield Contest has honored a Burr Oak man. Garrett Walters was recently acknowledged through the contest sponsored annually by the National Corn Growers Association. Walters placed second in the state in the Strip-Till, Minimum-Till, Mulch-Till, Ridge-Till Irrigated Class with a yield of more than 275 bushels per acre. The hybrid used in the winning field was …

Michigan Department of Transportation has announced it is continuing Stage 5 traffic on the U.S. 131 redevelopment project. As a result, two-way traffic on the southbound side of U.S. 131 through the length of the project will continue. This week, there will be some utility relocation work ongoing throughout the project, while roadbuilding work will continue north of Coon Hollow …

The PFAS investigation in White Pigeon has come to a standstill due to the COVID- 19 stay-at-home order, according to Paul Andriaachi, environmental health director at the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. He noted that letters were sent to 14 additional homes in an expanded-investigation area. That came after 19 homes near GPI Midwest were tested for the chemical. Fourteen …