News

A new regulation prohibits Michigan’s largest livestock operations from spreading manure on croplands during the first three months of the year. The ban on waste application during January, February and March was included in an update of a state permit for farms that house large numbers of animals in sprawling barns. It applies to about 260 Michigan farms. The Department …

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says golf courses should abide by her stay-at-home order and close down. The guidance issued Thursday is the latest to businesses and operations looking for clarity related to the temporary measure that took effect earlier this week. Whitmer’s office also says 10-cent bottle returns are off-limits and that tobacco shops, cigar bars, vape shops and hookah …

State Rep. Brad Paquette has issued a statement regarding this week’s announcement of the first confirmed cases of COVID-19 in both Berrien and Cass counties. Paquette, of Niles, said his heart goes out to the individuals and their families impacted by the diagnoses. The area’s first reported cases are a concern, but not a shock, he added. That being said, …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is moving toward a daily notification model to local media. Health officer Rebecca Burns said the measure is necessary, as the number of positive cases begins to increase within the three-county service district. As of 2 p.m. Thursday, St. Joseph County had no confirmed cases, 10 people pending test results and 38 individuals known …

Several items were reported taken from a self-storage unit in Centreville. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department was called shortly before 2:30 p.m. March 11 to Mill Race Storage Facility on East Main Street. The victim indicated approximately $150 worth of items stolen from his storage unit. Those items included several tattoo and artwork magazines, and Star Wars and Dungeons …

A garage was entered and items taken from a residence in the 17000 block of South River Road in Lockport Township. Sheriff’s deputies said the breaking-and-entering incident occurred between March 18 and this past Sunday. The suspects broke a window to the garage door and were able to lift the garage door. Once inside, they took a Craftsman push mower, …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer again is pleading with Michigan residents to stay at home to corral the coronavirus. Meanwhile, the state’s chief medical executive says hospitals with empty beds are stepping up to ease the burden on overwhelmed medical centers. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun says hospitals in southeastern Michigan are “at or near capacity.” Whitmer made an appeal for hospital gowns, ventilators, …

Members of the St. Joseph County Intermediate School District board recently heard details related to how the ISD is handling closures because of COVID-19. Superintendent Teresa Belote said the ISD has identified necessary staff, including those who will perform food delivery and preparation for students, those who support online learning, maintenance/custodial staff and business-office staff performing essential operations. They have …

St. Joseph County Clerk Lindsay Oswald issued a media release detailing the process of e-recording. Oswald said in order to best support financial-services infrastructure while being mindful of the current state of COVID-19, all documents for the clerk’s and register of deeds offices are to be submitted through e-recording. Oswald said the county’s website has phone numbers available for CSC, …

Commencement ceremonies scheduled for May 8 at Glen Oaks Community College have been postponed. College president David Devier said the school recognizes and values the hard work of Glen Oaks students, and commencement is an important part of their college experience. Devier said the college will be providing further details for graduating students over the next few weeks. Glen Oaks …