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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is strongly encouraging all K-12 schools in Michigan to reopen for in-person instruction by March 1. She stopped short of requiring it Friday, but said face-to-face classes should at least be an option. Many schools, including in large districts such as Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids, have been fully remote during the coronavirus pandemic. Teachers are among …

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a hit-and-run, property-damage incident that occurred earlier this week in Park Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said authorities were called at 1:15 p.m. Monday to the 20000 block of M-60, where a vehicle crashed into a gas station. The driver of the vehicle assaulted a clerk after being confronted about the crash. The suspect then drove from …

Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cathi Garn Abbs is a week away from retirement. Abbs, who has overseen the chamber for more than 18 years, will retire Jan. 15 and is to be replaced by Michael Wilson. Abbs said she is impressed by the high number of members for a community the size of Sturgis. She expressed her …

St. Joseph County Prosecutor David Marvin appeared Tuesday before county officials with hiring requests. Two days into his new job, Marvin was successful in his appeal to hire Gary Gabry as chief assistant prosecutor. As a result, Josh Robare will pivot to the role of assistant prosecutor, joining Casey Johnson. A third assistant prosecutor position remains vacant, though Marvin indicated …

St. Joseph County commissioners addressed a number of annual housekeeping items during their inaugural meeting of 2021 Tuesday. The five-member panel agreed to keep their twice-a-month meetings at 5 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Executive committee meetings will also stay unchanged: 8 a.m. the Wednesday before a commission meeting. Also Tuesday, commissioners approved their annual appropriations. …

The initial 200 doses of COVID-19 vaccine received by the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency are expected to be administered within the next week. Health officer Rebecca Burns told the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday there is a demand for more Moderna vaccine to satisfy the number of people in the highest category of need in the …

Three Rivers municipal officials have announced city hall will remain closed to the public, and employees will continue to work remotely when possible. City officials will remain available by phone or email weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Meanwhile, residents are encouraged to mail payments or use one of the drop boxes at city hall. Bills can also be …

Michigan will begin issuing coronavirus vaccines to seniors and front-line workers such as teachers and police next week, state officials said Wednesday while announcing accelerated access for people who are at least 65 years old. The state had planned to next immunize people 75 and older and essential workers including first responders, prison guards and child care providers. But residents …

A Centreville resident has been named executive director of the St. Joseph County Commission On Aging. During Tuesday’s county commission meeting, St. Joseph County Administrator Teresa Doehring announced the hiring of Pam Riley. Riley, whose first day on the job was Monday, replaces Tim Stoll. Stoll resigned in November to oversee Thurston Woods in Sturgis. The 49-year-old Riley was hired …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners will see its leadership remain steady in 2021. Commissioners approved Dennis Allen, 61, to continue serving as chair of the five-member board. Allen, a Centreville resident who represents Florence, Lockport, Nottawa and Sherman townships, will oversee the board for the fourth consecutive year. Meanwhile, Kathy Pangle, starting her fifth year as a county commissioner, …