BRANCH COUNTY, MI (WTVB) – There is no debate this year. The top story of 2020 was the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on everyday life in Branch County.
It forced us to keep our distance, wash our hands and wear masks.
The pandemic led to the cancellation of many yearly events around Branch County including the Branch County Fair, the Bronson Polish Festival, Coldwater’s Strawberryfest and Applefest, the Car Show and Swap Meet and Quincy’s Pints in the Park.
With the Tibbits Opera House forced to shut down, performances of Tibbits Summer Theater were downsized and held outdoors at the Ponds.
The plight of the Capri Drive-In was picked up by national news media outlets as they could not open last spring due to the state’s COVID-19 restrictions. Claiming they had to open in order to survive, the Capri reopened in the middle of May with COVID-19 protocols in place. There was a long line of cars along U.S. 12 that stretched back to the Branch County Memorial Airport on opening night.
All schools in the State of Michigan were shut down on March 16. As the virus started to spread in Michigan, Governor Whitmer announced her Stay Home, Stay Safe order a week later. It remained in effect until early June.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a lot of readjustments thanks to all of the health protocols. Government and school boards had to conduct virtual meetings.
Changes also had to be made for high school graduations. With Coldwater High School’s Cardinal Field unavailable due to state restrictions, the Class of 2020 graduation was held at the Capri Drive-In. Bronson moved their graduation outdoors to the football field in mid July. Union City held a quartet of mini graduation ceremonies in an effort to keep the number of people on campus at or below state-mandated limits. The Quincy Class of 2020 received their diplomas on May 31 and were honored with a community parade.
Development of downtown Coldwater continued during 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Coldwater announced on June 15 that Two Bandits Brewing Company of Hicksville, Ohio would be opening up a brewpub in the historic Kerr Building. There was also a lot of discussion about whether or not recreational retail marijuana stores would be allowed downtown. After much back and forth over several months, the City Council voted 5-4 on September 28 to have those stores in the I-69/U.S. 12 corridor for the time being and not in the downtown area.
Construction on The Lofts at Milnes Plaza wrapped up late in the year. Work stopped between March and May due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
There were some changes in Branch County politics. Jon Houtz and Tim Stoll were elected to the Branch County Board of Commissioners while Zach Stempien was elected as Prosecutor and Julie Waterbury was elected as Treasurer.
Voters approved a surcharge in November to help fund a new 911 radio system. Long time Branch County 9-1-1 Director Kurt Spalding retired and a consultant was hired by the county to formulate a new 911 Service Plan. There were also concerns raised due to the number of dispatcher positions that were unfilled which forced those dispatchers on board to work long hours.
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