Government

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 …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday announced the further loosening of Michigan’s coronavirus restrictions, easing capacity limits in restaurants and a host of other businesses while also allowing for larger indoor and outdoor gatherings. The revised state health department order will take effect Friday and last through April 19. The state also said families will immediately be able to visit nursing …

A Mendon woman died Thursday after the vehicle she was driving left the roadway and plunged into the Fawn River. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called shortly after 7 a.m. to Constantine Road at the Fawn River bridge, located on the border of Constantine and Florence townships. Lillywhite said the vehicle, a 2007 Jeep Liberty, was found upside down …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Wednesday her administration will announce the further loosening of Michigan’s coronavirus restrictions in coming days. She did not elaborate much in a news conference, in which she again pressed the Republican-controlled Legislature to pass a multibillion-dollar COVID-19 relief funding plan. A state health department order limits indoor restaurant capacity to 25%, imposes a 10 p.m. curfew …

Michigan restaurants on Wednesday proposed tying indoor capacity limits to the percentage of COVID-19 tests that come back positive, contending that clear guideposts would help the hospitality industry navigate the pandemic. Bars and restaurants, which reopened for indoor dining and drinking on Feb 1. after a 2 1/2-month ban, have a 10 p.m. curfew and are limited to 25% occupancy, …

A 27-year-old man has been charged with murder in the slayings of his parents whose bodies were found in a wooded area in western Michigan. Nicholas Johnson was expected to be arraigned Thursday in Kalamazoo County District Court. Gary and Laura Johnson went missing earlier this month. Their bodies were unearthed Friday at Gourdneck State Game Area in Portage, about …