Government

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, Tuesday night issued the following statement on impeachment: “Today the President characterized his inflammatory rhetoric at last Wednesday’s rally as “totally appropriate,” and he expressed no regrets for last week’s violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. This sends exactly the wrong signal to those of us who support the very core of our democratic …

Michigan has banned the open carry of guns in the state Capitol a week after an armed mob rioted in the U.S. Capitol and following a protest in the statehouse last year. Moves to ban weapons at the statehouse have been pushed since April, when protesters opposed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s COVID-19 restrictions, some armed with long rifles and other …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is strongly encouraging all K-12 schools in Michigan to reopen for in-person instruction by March 1. She stopped short of requiring it Friday, but said face-to-face classes should at least be an option. Many schools, including in large districts such as Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids, have been fully remote during the coronavirus pandemic. Teachers are among …

Michigan will begin issuing coronavirus vaccines to seniors and front-line workers such as teachers and police next week, state officials said Wednesday while announcing accelerated access for people who are at least 65 years old. The state had planned to next immunize people 75 and older and essential workers including first responders, prison guards and child care providers. But residents …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has received an initial allotment of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccinations began for individuals in Phase 1A priority groups last week, as hospitals in the Branch-Hillsdale-St Joseph counties also received shipments to vaccinate their front-line workers. Communications are taking place directly with these entities, and clinics are not open to the general public at this …

The Verizon store in Sturgis was robbed Tuesday. Investigators said the incident occurred at 1:38 p.m. at 1382 S. Centerville Road and involved four black men. They were unarmed. Police said the suspects left the scene in a gray Toyota Corolla later located in the 1300 block of Cato Lane. It had been reported stolen from Grand Rapids earlier in …

Sheriff’s officials are investigating several break-ins recently in the Tamarac subdivision in Lockport Township. Deputies were dispatched to Eagle Drive for a breaking and entering to an outbuilding and also to Falcon Court for a report of larceny from a vehicle. Investigators said they believe the incidents are related and occurred the night of Dec. 26.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law a $106 million plan Tuesday that will provide relief to businesses and fund efforts to fight the economic impact of the coronavirus. Though the plan was a collaborative effort between the governor and the legislature, Whitmer told reporters that the legislature strayed from the original agreement and that the $465 million plan the legislature …

A Sturgis woman faces numerous charges after she managed to escape from handcuffs and drive a patrol car from the scene of an accident. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said authorities responded to a property-damage accident shortly after 3 a.m. Monday on Lutz Road near Hoshel Road. The 25-year-old driver was subsequently arrested for operating while intoxicated. While deputies searched the vehicle …

State police arrested a Branch County man after he held two people against their will earlier this week. Troopers were called around 9 p.m. Sunday to a residence on Stoney Point Drive in Gilead Township. Investigators found a woman and her boyfriend went to her ex-boyfriend’s residence to retrieve personal belongings. Authorities said while the woman and her new boyfriend …