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Sturgis city commissioners last week accepted the resignation of vice mayor and third precinct city commissioner Mark Dvorak. In a letter to commissioners, Dvorak said circumstances in his personal life resulted in his move to a different home. Dvorak said he did not realize until he went to vote March 10 that his new residence is in the second precinct. …

The St. Joseph County United Way has announced a change to the dates of its second annual “Yards, Barns and Brews” event. Originally slated for May 1 and 2, the event has been rescheduled to July 17 and 18. In addition, the fairgrounds announced it, too, is rescheduling the Countywide Garage Sales event to the same weekend. Attractions will include …

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s decision to toughen rather than relax what already was one of the nation’s strictest stay-home orders in response to the coronavirus is hitting opposition in her home state, where Republicans who backed her moves initially are now ratcheting up their criticism. Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey took to Facebook to accuse the Democratic governor and vice …

On behalf of Michigan’s Green Industry – the nursery and greenhouse growers, retail garden centers, lawn care, landscape maintenance, design/build, tree care, and irrigation and water management firms – we present this statement on COVID-19. The majority of our businesses are family-owned and many are multi-generational. Our industry is committed to providing their products and services in a way that …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the theft of irrigation wire from a field in Constantine Township. According to a department media release, deputies were called to an area near the intersection of U.S. 131 and Garber Road to investigate the incident. The victim told authorities the larceny took place between 9 p.m. April 8 and 9 a.m. …

Officials from Firm Foundation Ministries have announced that due to the governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order, the Building Hope Free Store will be closed for both shopping and donation drop-offs until at least April 30. Meanwhile, volunteers from White Pigeon Food Pantry said the facility will be open on Wednesdays and also every third Monday for curbside services. Wednesday …

State Rep. Aaron Miller said Gov. Whitmer moved in the wrong direction when she put more restrictions on people and businesses while extending her stay-at-home order until April 30. Whitmer last week ordered that stores no longer sell what she considers non-essential items and block off those areas so customers cannot access them. The governor also said she will not …

Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said the department is investigating the theft of a golf cart. The vehicle was taken between 11:30 p.m. April 9 and 11 a.m. April 10 in the 71000 block of Roosevelt Road in White Pigeon Township. Lillywhite said the 2009 E-Z-GO is metallic green in color, lifted with chrome rims and has a handicap sticker on its …

The growth in coronavirus infections in Michigan is starting to flatten due to the extraordinary restrictions on people’s movements, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Monday. But she warned that this doesn’t mean business as usual will resume quickly or soon. “We’ve got to make sure that we avoid a second wave at all costs. That would be devastating for our economy,” …

A lawn mower was stolen last week from a location in Fabius Township. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were called at 4 p.m. Tuesday to the 60000 block of County Line Road. The victim told authorities a Magnum zero-turn lawnmower and a 2015 6-by-8 Carry-On trailer were stolen. The incident occurred between 7 and 9 p.m. …