Government

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed the first human case of West Nile Virus reported in the state for 2016. The person is an older adult and resides in Livingston County. The Branch-Hillsdale St. Joseph Community Health Agency is encouraging residents to take simple precautions that can help prevent mosquito bites. Precautions include practicing the three R’s: Remove standing …

Operations at a Three Rivers-based adult foster-care residence are in limbo as a result of a state investigation. According to the Kalamazoo Gazette, the license of operator Shoheli Talukder could be revoked by the Michigan Department Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and the Bureau of Community and Health Systems. The agencies last week issued an order of summary suspension and notice …

Ann Arbor is banning the sale of tobacco to people under 21. City Council voted 9-2 on Thursday to give final approval to an ordinance raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products in the city from 18. It’s joining the Tobacco 21 movement, which has been embraced by other communities in the U.S. The Ann Arbor News reports it …

State troopers risked getting sprayed by a skunk to help the animal get free of a yogurt container that was stuck on its head in suburban Detroit. The troopers were dispatched Thursday morning to see if they could help the skunk, which was running in circles in Oakland County’s Royal Oak Township. In a statement, state police say the animal …

Two Illinois residents were injured in a two-vehicle accident earlier this week in Fabius Township. State police said troopers were called shortly before 7 p.m. Wednesday to the intersection of Hoffman and Lucas roads. Investigators said a 21-year-old woman from Brookfield was driving north on Lucas Road when she disobeyed a stop sign. Her vehicle struck a car heading east …

Three Rivers Police this week arrested a man for third-offense drunken driving. According to a department media release, the 61-year-old suspect was stopped Tuesday on West Michigan Avenue after he was observed by an officer who knew the man’s driver’s license was revoked. The officer discovered the man to be under the influence. The suspect, whose identity was not stated …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners approved budget amendments Tuesday to pay for enhanced courthouse security and other improvements. About two-thirds of the $300,000 in amendments will cover expenses related to heightened security through the end of the year. County finance director Joni Smith said the $204,000 cost reflects five-twelfths of the annual cost to implement a variety of security …

Sheriff’s department dive/rescue members last week conducted a search in Nottawa Township following a report of two girls who may have jumped from a bridge on Findley Road and failed to resurface. The department was notified around 8:30 p.m. Sunday that a witness was mowing his yard nearby and noticed the two girls climb onto the bridge. The witness looked …

The budgeting process for St. Joseph County finance director Joni Smith became a little less complicated Tuesday. Members of the county’s board of commissioners agreed to change the fiscal year for Commission On Aging to the calendar year. The move makes the Jan. 1-Dec. 31 fiscal year consistent with the county’s and other agencies. Commission On Aging previously operated on …

A fugitive wanted by the Illinois Department of Corrections was captured this week by Three Rivers Police. While on duty Tuesday on West Michigan Avenue, a Three Rivers officer saw a man driving a sport-style motorcycle that matched the description of one reported stolen. A traffic stop was made near the Three Rivers Fire Department and the man, whose name …