Government

St. Joseph County commissioners this week approved several nominations and appointments to various boards and commissions in advance of new terms starting in 2021. They are: *Animal Control Advisory Board: Lori Lammon, Suzanne Lee and Dan Czajkowski, three-year terms. *Board of Public Works: Robert Horton, three years. *Building Authority Board: Kathy Humphreys, term expires in August. *Central Dispatch Policy Board: …

Bars and restaurants lost a challenge Wednesday to Michigan’s ban on indoor dining and immediately warned about business failures and deep job losses if the restriction linked to the coronavirus is extended past next week. U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney turned down a request for an injunction with seven days left in the three-week ban. It was ordered in mid-November …

President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer urged Michigan Republican activists on Wednesday to pressure, even threaten, the GOP-controlled Legislature to “step up” and award the state’s 16 electoral votes to Trump despite Democrat Joe Biden’s 154,000-vote victory. Rudy Giuliani made baseless claims of “massive fraud, all over the country,” before testifying to a Republican-led legislative committee. Just a day before, Attorney …

Authorities are looking for someone who boldly climbed to the top of a Mackinac Bridge tower, took pictures and later posted them on social media. The incident apparently occurred in early November. Alarms were triggered hours apart, but no one was caught, the Mackinac Bridge Authority said Wednesday. The agency’s executive secretary, Kim Nowack, called it “inexcusably reckless.” “It is …

A top Michigan health official said Tuesday she was cautiously optimistic that more residents took steps to combat the surging coronavirus last month, citing declining case rates, but warned that the spread remains significant and the effect of Thanksgiving will not be known for two to three weeks. Joneigh Khaldun, the state’s chief medical executive and an adviser to Gov. …

Two people died late Saturday afternoon in a Porter Township house fire. The victims have been identified as 69-year-old Patricia Cloud, and Brandon Cloud, age 37. Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke said they were unable to escape their burning home, located in the 70000-block of Tharp Lake Road, west of Union. The investigation continues.

It appears St. Joseph County’s contract with Western Michigan University for medical examiner services will be renewed. During their executive committee meeting Wednesday, county commissioners recommended continuing their contract with Western’s medical school. County clerk Lindsay Oswald said a request for qualifications and proposals was sent through the Michigan Association of Medical Examiners, as well as to a few individuals …

A few loose ends were addressed during Wednesday’s St. Joseph County Executive Committee meeting. Commissioners recommended acceptance of a Community Corrections Grant Agreement for 2021. It is almost $114,000 and awarded through the Michigan Department of Corrections. Also, commissioners approved setting a public hearing for the county’s 2021 proposed budget. The hearing will be conducted during their meeting Tuesday. Finally, …

The issue of appointments to various boards and committees evolved into a lengthy discussion by county commissioners during their executive committee meeting Wednesday. The process of recommending appointments and re-appointments to different boards and committees was explored following an issue raised by commissioner Ken Malone, who asked why candidates are interviewed for some panels but not others. The recommendations before …

Michigan drivers who want unlimited personal injury protection benefits will pay $86 a vehicle starting next summer, down from $100 currently. The fee was mandatory for decades but became optional beginning in July under a change in state law. The Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association, a state-created nonprofit entity that reimburses auto insurers for medical claims surpassing $580,000, announced the 14% …