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State legislators have given their final approval to a proposal banning motorists from using handheld cellphones on Indiana roads to combat distracted driving. The Indiana House voted 81-11 and the Senate 49-1 on Tuesday in favor of the bill. The measure permits cellphone use by drivers only with hands-free or voice-operated technology, except in emergencies. The new law will take …

A school district in southwestern Michigan is dropping its Redskins nickname and mascot after the superintendent urged school board members to end the contentious name. The Paw Paw school board voted 6-1 on Monday to retire the Redskins nickname by the end of the school year. Superintendent Rick Reo said last week he believes the district originally chose Redskins to …

Two men were arrested following a home-invasion incident last week in Cass County’s Calvin Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 11:50 p.m. Tuesday in response to an armed robbery and home invasion in the 63000 block of Day Lake Road. The 24-year-old female victim told authorities she was home alone, and three or four men entered the …

St. Joseph County Road Commission Managing Director John Lindsey has issued a reminder that political signs must be placed outside of the road right-of-way. Lindsey broached the subject at last week’s road commission meeting after commissioner Vince Mifsud asked about the rules. Mifsud said someone notified him about a political sign placed underneath a stop sign, and that the driver …

I have found that there is more advice fathers should share with their sons than I have room for in just one column, so here are five suggestions. The final five will be listed next week. Never turn down a breath mint. Give credit. Take the blame. Stand up to bullies. Protect those that are bullied. Take time to snuggle …

St. Joseph County sheriff’s deputies are investigating the theft of a motor vehicle from a location in Sherman Township. Deputies were advised the incident took place around 4 a.m. Jan. 28 in the 23000 block of Mintdale Road. The vehicle is a black, 2005 Volkswagen Jetta with tinted windows, black rims and a broken fuel-cap door. The vehicle is possibly …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is providing local contacts available to anyone with questions about Coronavirus. Agency director Rebecca Burns said in addition to her availability, other contacts related to the matter are Aimmee Mullendore, St. Joseph County Clinic Supervisor, who can be reached at 269-858-1010, and Kali Nichols, director of personal health and disease prevention. Her phone number …

The St. Joseph County United Way has announced details of an upcoming fundraiser. The second annual Yards, Barns and Brews Fest will take place May 1 and 2 at the St. Joseph County Grange Fairgrounds. Executive director Kelly Hostetler said the two-day event will include a pancake breakfast, vendor booths, arts and crafts, garage sales and antiques, 4-H Youth Council …

Michigan’s top election official says to expect later-than-typical results from next week’s presidential primary because of a surge of absentee ballots and other factors. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said Thursday that election is the first major statewide contest since voters in 2018 authorized no-reason absentee voting and same-day voter registration. Absentee ballot requests are up 80% compared to the …

Art Van Furniture will close all company-owned stores in at least five states as the retailer heads toward liquidation after more than 60 years in business. Liquidation sales are expected to start Friday. Art Van spokeswoman Diane Charles says in a statement Thursday that the “company’s brands and operating performance have been hit hard by a challenging retail environment.” Archie …