News

Restaurants, bars and other retail businesses can reopen in much of northern Michigan starting Friday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Monday — a key step for the tourism-dependent region before the Memorial Day weekend and summer season. Bars and restaurants, which have only been able to do pickup and delivery, will have to limit capacity to 50%. Groups will be required …

During its scheduled meeting Monday morning, the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Board of Trustees approved a 3.6% increase in tuition and fees (in-district residents) for the 2020-2021 academic year. “This overall package of tuition and fees provides students an affordable option when compared to other colleges and universities,”said Dr. L. Marshall Washington, college president. “In response to the increasing student demand …

The Associated Press has detailed the phone calls St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough made following the single-vehicle accident in which he was involved May 11. According to the news agency, McDonough said in the first of his two calls to St. Joseph County Central Dispatch that he experienced a coughing fit and, as a result, lost control of his …

Here’s the weekly update from Michigan Department of Transportation regarding its redevelopment of U.S. 131 in Three Rivers. Agency officials said Stage 5 traffic pattern remains in effect, meaning two-way traffic in the southbound lane of U.S. 131 will continue throughout the length of the project. Also, work related to some utility relocation is possible this week. Westbound traffic on …

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 …