Government

A partnership involving Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Arbor Day Foundation has declared a St. Joseph County community a “Tree City USA” honoree for 2020. The city of Sturgis was announced as one of 124 Michigan communities to receive the honor. The certification is for work accomplished during 2020. All recipients will receive their reward by the end …

All people ages 16 and older in Michigan became eligible for COVID-19 vaccines on Monday, as the state passed the halfway point in its goal of inoculating 70% of that population by year’s end. More than 36% of roughly 8.1 million residents had received at least one shot as of Sunday, a share that has tripled in two months. Federal …

A Kalamazoo man was arrested last week after he led authorities on a pursuit that ended in the city of Three Rivers. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies became involved in the pursuit shortly after 6 a.m. Friday. The vehicle, a Ford passenger car, was observed speeding as it was traveling north on Lutz Road, near Fairchild Road. Deputies attempted to …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday doubled Michigan’s daily COVID-19 vaccination goal to 100,000 shots. She cited continuous week-over-week increases in vaccine allotments the state is receiving and an expanded number of providers who can administer doses. She called vaccinations safe, effective and essential to getting the country back to normal. “These new, higher vaccine targets are a testament to what …

Michigan, which not long ago had among the country’s lowest COVID-19 infection rates, is confronting an alarming spike that some public health experts worry could be a harbinger nationally. The resurgence is being fueled by loosened restrictions, a more infectious variant and pandemic fatigue. While rising vaccination rates provide protection for seniors, the upswing is boosting hospitalizations among younger adults …

St. Joseph County Commission on Aging has reopened in-person activities at its centers in Sturgis and Three Rivers. COA executive director Pam Riley said the sites re-opened March 15 and so far, all is going well, she noted. Limited activities include exercise classes and bingo at both locations. The agency is adhering to a limited capacity of 25 percent per …

Michigan announced Friday that all residents age 16 and up will become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine on April 5, nearly a month before the May 1 date pledged by President Joe Biden. People age 16 to 49 with certain medical conditions or disabilities will qualify starting March 22, when 50- to 64-year-olds can begin getting shots under a previous announcement. Two days later, …

The coronavirus made 2020 Michigan’s deadliest year, driving a 17.9% increase in deaths over 2019, according to preliminary data. It was the largest annual percentage jump on record, surpassing a 15.6% increase in 1918 — when the flu pandemic struck. More than 115,300 people died in Michigan last year, up from about 97,800 the year before, according to an Associated …

The force of a house explosion in Three Rivers over the weekend was felt throughout the area, according to fire officials. Three Rivers fire chief Jeff Bloomfield said the incident occurred around 8 p.m. Saturday at 521 N. Douglas Ave.  Following the explosion, the residence was on fire, and the fire spread to a neighboring residence. Fire personnel managed to …

Frank J. Kelley, affectionately called the “eternal general” for his 37 years as Michigan’s longest-serving attorney general, has died at age 96, his family said Saturday. Kelley, a Democrat, served from 1961 to 1999, winning statewide election 10 times. He moved to Naples, Florida, in 2020 and died Friday night, spokesman Chris De Witt said. Kelley was state government’s top …