News

More than 50% of inmates tested at a Michigan prison have been infected with the highly contagious coronavirus and at least 11 have died, officials reported. Lakeland prison in Branch County in southern Michigan continues to be a hot spot. It has a large share of the system’s older prisoners. The Corrections Department said 1,411 prisoners had been tested at …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday lengthened her stay-at-home order through May 15, while lifting restrictions so some businesses can reopen and the public can participate in outdoor activities like golf and motorized boating during the coronavirus pandemic. The measure immediately replaces one that was scheduled to expire next week. Michigan has nearly 3,000 deaths related to COVID-19, behind only New York and New Jersey …

Filing deadline for township candidates appearing on the August primary ballot was Tuesday. According to St. Joseph County Clerk Lindsay Oswald, here is a list of townships that have contested races. All seats are four-year terms. In Fabius Township, a two-way race for supervisor features Ken Linn and current trustee Dan Wilkins. Current supervisor John Kroggel is not seeking re-election. …

White Pigeon Days is taking the year off. The two-day festival, which traditionally features food vendors, fireworks and a lengthy parade, was to have taken place July 10-11. Bekah Carr, a member of the White Pigeon Community Association, said finances were at the root of the cancellation. She said right now would typically be the time festival organizers start soliciting …

Republicans who control the Michigan Legislature said they will meet Friday to pass bills to rein in the emergency powers of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and create a committee to oversee the state’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, a dramatic strike against the Democrat amid the health crisis. A spokeswoman for Whitmer promised a veto and said Republicans were “playing dangerous …

Constantine Public Schools is facing a gender-discrimination charge stemming from a middle school principal candidate who was chosen, then revoked days later. Kalamazoo attorney Ross Chapman is representing Kristina Crabill, who interviewed for the job last summer. After two rounds of interviews, Crabill was offered the position by then-superintendent Steve Wilson. Crabill accepted the job July 18. According to Chapman, …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners was briefed Tuesday on the COVID-19 virus and its impact on the county. During their twice-a-month meeting, commissioners heard the update from Erin Goff, Emergency Management Services director for St. Joseph County. Goff said through Tuesday, three days had passed since the county had seen any additional cases and she remains cautiously optimistic. She …

A Cassopolis woman was injured after losing control of the vehicle she was driving in Cass County’s Volinia Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 7:50 a.m. Wednesday to Marcellus Highway in an area east of Gards Prairie Road. Investigators said Carman Wildes, 47, was driving eastbound on Marcellus Road when her vehicle left the road, and struck …

Members of the Constantine Village Council agreed Monday to continue with plans for a Fourth of July fireworks display despite a number of challenges, including funding. Village manager Mark Honeysett asked the council for input, noting that Schoolcraft already has canceled its Independence Day celebration. Honeysett said Constantine’s fireworks are sponsored primarily by a golf outing. The outing, which accounts …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer made clear Wednesday that she will extend her stay-at-home order beyond April 30 and that some form of it will be in effect for a “long time” in Michigan, hinting that people age 65 and older and those with chronic lung problems may face restrictions longer than others. The governor said she hopes to say more on …