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Coronavirus cases grew by a small percentage while deaths increased by 55, the Michigan health department said Saturday. The state noted that 19 of the deaths could have occurred days or weeks ago. Some information takes time to get recorded as records are reviewed and matched. The statewide number of confirmed virus cases reached at least 50,504, compared to 50,079 …

Burt Reynolds and Jackie Gleason were on the big screen as a drive-in movie theater in Branch County reopened, despite business shutdowns during the coronavirus. Capri Drive-In co-owner Susan Magocs said she needs to make money but still can keep visitors safe. The theater’s two screens opened Friday night near Coldwater. “We don’t want to cause trouble. We are just …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Friday it is her “hope” that K-12 schools can reopen for in-person instruction in the fall and created an advisory council to recommend ways to ensure a safe and equitable return. The governor, who closed schools in March to curb the coronavirus, stopped short of saying schools definitely will be allowed to reopen in late August …

Michigan will confront multibillion-dollar declines in tax revenue and record-high enrollment in government health insurance programs — a double whammy from the coronavirus pandemic that may lead to major cuts in services. Legislative experts and top officials in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration agreed to revised budget estimates Friday after hearing economic forecasts. The steep downward revision from revenue estimates issued just four …

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that occurred earlier this week in Park Township. According to a department media release, deputies were called Monday to W.F. Wells, in the 16000 block of Heimbach Road. The suspects entered the building and stole a 2000 Ford F250 Crew Cab, silver in color with no tailgate. It had a 2016 Sure Trac …

A Sturgis company has partnered with the Sturgis Area Community Foundation to generate more than $170,000 for programs and initiatives serving area residents. Since March 18, GT Independence and the foundation have returned $177,500 to the community. John Carmichael, CEO of GT Independence, said his company contributed $100,000 to the local cause while the Sturgis Area Community Foundation and its …

Parent Advisory Council of St. Joseph County, comprised of a group of parents whose children receive special-education services in several diagnostic categories and school districts throughout the county, recently announced its recipients of an annual awards program. PAC holds a reception every May to honor people who were nominated and won awards in various categories. Though it was unable to …

Sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant May 7 in the 68000 block of Lutz Road and recovered a stolen trailer. Acting on a citizen tip, deputies went to the White Pigeon Township location and recovered a 2020 Neo 7-by-22 enclosed trailer stolen in September from the lot of Neo Manufacturing. All visible numbers had been ground off and any identifying …

St. Joseph County saw a recent surge in its confirmed coronavirus cases due to an outbreak at a Sturgis manufacturing facility. Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency’s Rebecca Burns brought the issue to the attention of county commissioners during their executive committee meeting Wednesday. Burns said the county’s number of confirmed cases as of Tuesday was 72. Though she was not …

A private foundation has bestowed a $12,000 grant to St. Joseph County Animal Control. During their executive committee meeting Wednesday, county commissioners were told the good news from county grant writer James Hissong. He said the purpose of the funding is to build a quarantine room to separate animals upon intake and also overly aggressive animals, if circumstances warrant. The …