Government

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was sworn in for second term as the state’s 49th governor on Sunday, pushing a message of unity and working together during remarks on the state Capitol steps as Democrats took full control of the state government for the first time in 40 years. Whitmer, who was first elected in 2018 after serving as a state lawmaker for 14 years, …

A 32-year-old man died after a shooting at a Sturgis business. Authorities said Jeremy Lampaert died after he was shot around 6 p.m. Thursday in the parking lot at Country Hearth Inn and Suites. The business is located at the southeast corner of Fawn River and South Centreville roads. Witnesses said they believe the shooting was the result of an …

A police chief in southwestern Michigan is stepping down following allegations by three female city employees of discrimination, sexual harassment and verbal abuse. Kalamazoo Public Safety Chief Vernon Coakley is on unpaid administrative leave and will retire effective Sunday with a severance package of more than $155,000, the Kalamazoo Gazette and WOOD-TV reported Thursday. Coakley has been with the public safety department for more …

Cass County deputies responded to a crash Tuesday in Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 4 p.m. to the intersection of Robbins Lake Road and Teasdale Lake Street. Investigators said Richard Shay, 44, of Jones, and his passenger, Rebecca Shay, 43, also of Jones, were traveling north on Robbins Lake Road. Meanwhile, David Ruth, 19, …

Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce officials have announced details related to the annual “State of the Area” government update. The update will take place from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on January 17 at the chamber’s event center, 1116 N. Main St. Local, county and state elected officials are expected to attend and provide brief updates on important local matters. …

Michigan State Police raided two locations in St. Joseph County and another in Cass County earlier this month, recovering more than $300,000 in stolen vehicles and trailers. Investigators obtained search warrants after several months of investigation. Two properties were searched Dec. 6 in the 51000 block of Lang Road in Park Township. Also, a single property was searched in the …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a two-vehicle crash that occurred last week in the White Pigeon area. Law-enforcement officials responded Friday afternoon to U.S. 131 and Dickinson Road. Authorities said the driver of the semi, a 52-year-old man from Jackson County, was traveling north on U.S. 131 when he lost control of his vehicle. It crossed the centerline and …

St. Joseph County Administrator Teresa Doehring has agreed to a two-year contract renewal. During Tuesday’s board of commissioners meeting, county officials approved a contract for 2023 and 2024. Doehring, 48, is completing her fifth year as the highest-ranking, non-elected employee in county government. A lifelong Mendon-area resident, Doehring also serves as the county’s human resource director. Her 2023 salary will …

County health officers don’t need approval from elected officials to issue orders, the Michigan Court of Appeals said in a precedent-setting decision related to protests over COVID-19 school mask mandates. Mask orders were controversial when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration changed course and left key decisions to local health departments. The result: blistering criticism and tense confrontations at county board meetings in some …

A judge on Thursday handed down the longest prison terms so far in the plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor, sentencing three men who forged an early alliance with a leader of the scheme before the FBI broke it up in 2020. Joe Morrison, Pete Musico and Paul Bellar were not charged with having a direct role in the conspiracy. But …