News

Members of the Constantine Village Council this week reviewed a draft of an adult-use marijuana ordinance. A date for a public hearing for the ordinance was set for 7:10 p.m. March 30. Several council members said they hope to pattern the recreational marijuana ordinance after the medical marijuana ordinance adopted in 2018 and 11 licenses for medical marijuana subsequently approved. …

State Rep. Aaron Miller this week voted in favor of a new emergency-budget plan, adding an additional $125 million to help the state and local communities respond to coronavirus. The measure brings the total state funding approved to $150 million. The plan will provide $50 million for immediate needs such as virus monitoring and testing, $50 million for critical health …

Statement from Century Bank and Trust: As we all continue to navigate the growing concerns of the COVID-19 situation and do our part to help mitigate the situation, it is our goal to make decisions that support the public health of our communities. Century Bank and Trust will be instituting continued preventative measures at all office locations by temporarily limiting …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is reporting that as of 11 a.m. Tuesday, there are no cases of COVID-19 in any of the three counties. Within the state, however, there are 54 cases and testing continues daily. In Branch, Hillsdale and St. Joseph counties, 20 individuals have been approved for testing using state guidelines. Of these 20 tests, 7 …

St. Joseph County courts are closed indefinitely following the governor’s declaration of a state of emergency and Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget McCormack’s recommendation. With the exception of emergency court matters, 45th Circuit Court, 3B District Court and Probate/Family Court are closed. All criminal and civil jury trials, civil infractions and traffic hearings, criminal pre-trials and Family Court matters are …

Members of the Constantine Fire Department responded to two structure fires over the past two days. The first was at 3:10 p.m. Monday on Klett Road in Constantine Township. The owners returned home to find smoke coming from the first floor of the residence. They evacuated the house and called 911. The fire appears to have started near a couch …

White Pigeon Township Library is closed indefinitely. Library director Perri Saunders said the measure went into effect Saturday. However, curbside service will be available to patrons during regular library hours, which are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Saunders suggested that patrons should call the library, at 483-7409, before they visit …

St. Joseph County Road Commission Manager John Lindsey said the department is not imposing “frost laws” on county roads this year. He said forecasts the agency has followed show the need for frost laws and subsequent weight restrictions on local roads will not be necessary. In addition to St. Joseph County, Lindsey said Cass, Branch, Lenawee and most other counties …

In response to unified efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019, Sturgis City Hall and other municipal buildings are closed to the public. The measure went into effect Monday afternoon. In addition to city hall, the Doyle Community Center and Sturges-Young Center for the Arts also are closed to the public until April 5. Furthermore, Sturgis officials said …

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has issued a sweeping order banning dine-in customers at restaurants and closing all bars, movie theaters, gyms and other sports facilities to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The order will last through March. She also prohibited large gatherings of more than 50 people and ordered that more people qualify for unemployment benefits during the global …