Government

Nearly half of Michigan residents live in counties where the federal government is urging everyone ages 2 and over, including the fully vaccinated, to wear masks in public indoor settings because transmission of the coronavirus is “high” or “substantial.” The guidance affected 33 of 83 counties as of Monday — including large ones such as Oakland, Macomb and Ingham — up from …

An official resigned as chairman of a county board in Michigan, the latest fallout from his decision to give himself a $25,000 bonus with federal COVID-19 relief money and reward others in the community. Jeremy Root will remain one of seven Shiawassee County commissioners but will no longer lead the board. “This whole county government needs major reform. … The integrity of …

A man wanted in the killing of his 82-year-old father, whose body was found last week in his Kalamazoo-area home, was arrested Saturday. Scott Sterffy, age 56, was arrested in Kalamazoo and is expected to be arraigned Monday, the Portage Department of Public Safety said in a news release. Steffry was wanted on an open murder charge and a charge …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the larceny of catalytic converters from two vehicles in Calhoun County. The larcenies occurred between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Thursday at the park-and-ride lot off Michigan Avenue at I-69.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday resumed wearing a mask at indoor events, citing revised guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a recommendation from Michigan’s chief doctor. The Democratic governor, who is vaccinated, said she does not anticipate reinstating a face covering requirement, though “not in the near future and maybe not ever.” The CDC on Tuesday reversed …

A man who stabbed a police dog has been shot to death by a sheriff’s deputy in southwestern Michigan. Deputies were called to a home in Gobles about 7:30 p.m. Monday for a reported assault, the Van Buren County sheriff’s office said. The police dog was sent inside about 9:30 p.m. to force the 39-year-old man out, but was stabbed …

Members of the Constantine Village Council have approved an engineering service agreement for its proposed waste-treatment plant. Company officials from engineers Fleis & VandenBrink said the village’s new sewer plant is expected to be in operation by January 2024. Engineer Jeff Pugh said engineering and legal expenses for the new plant could cost up to $1 million in the next …

Josh LaFluer was appointed Monday to serve as a trustee on the Constantine Village Council. LaFluer fills a vacancy left by the June resignation of Joe Faulkner. LaFluer previously served as a trustee and did not seek re-election when his term ended in November 2020. Village manager Mark Honeysett said in the general law village act, there is no prescribed …

The Three Rivers Police Department has provided an update regarding a wheelchair-versus-SUV fatal collision. The victim has been identified as 49-year-old Three Rivers resident Tony Hoyt. Hoyt was in a wheelchair in an area along Millard Street, where his wheelchair was struck by a sport-utility vehicle Monday evening around 6:30 p.m. Hoyt was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Health …

A Sturgis man died following a collision involving a motorcycle and a pickup in Florence Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday to an area on Lutz Road near Dickinson Road in Florence Township. Investigators said a Ford F150 was being driven southbound on Lutz Road before attempting to make a turn at Dickinson Road. …