Government

Michigan officials are pleading for more ventilators and appealing to health professionals to come out of retirement to fight the coronavirus. The number of cases statewide reached nearly 5,500 over the weekend, while deaths rose to 132. Michigan’s medical executive, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, says the state has 1,700 ventilators and needs 5,000 to 10,000 more. The coronavirus attacks the lungs. …

Here’s the Michigan Department of Transportation’s weekly update regarding the U.S. 131 reconstruction project. The agency is incorporating a Stage 5 traffic pattern, meaning two-way traffic in the highway’s southbound lanes throughout the project. Scheduled work this week includes some utility relocation. Also, traffic-signal work will continue at various intersections south of Michigan Avenue, and crews will focus on various …

President Donald Trump has approved a major disaster declaration for Michigan amid the coronavirus pandemic. The declaration provides additional money to address the outbreak as a top health official warned that the situation in Detroit will worsen. Michigan officials also reported Saturday 19 additional virus-related deaths nearly 1,000 new confirmed cases. Michigan now has 4,650 cases and at least 111 …

President Donald Trump is willing to help governors in their struggle with a virus outbreak, if they ask nice. He has taken a round of steps to expand the federal government’s role in helping produce critically needed supplies to fight the coronavirus pandemic after desperate pleas from the nation’s governors. Yet he also rejected any criticism for the federal government’s …

St. Joseph County Commission On Aging offices are closed to comply with the governor’s executive order. The measure also affects COA’s enrichment centers in Three Rivers and Sturgis, as all activities and programs will continue to be canceled at both centers. COA will be providing critical services of Meals on Wheels delivery once per week and personal care once per …

Michigan Department of Transportation announced this week it is canceling spring Adopt-A-Highway pickups. Previously scheduled for April 18-26 and May 9-17 around the state, the cleanup event is planned to resume with the statewide summer pickup, scheduled for July 18-26. More information is available from the state’s website, michigan.gov. The state is delaying the cleanup as a proactive measure to …

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has ordered residents to remain at home for two weeks starting Wednesday except for workers in essential industries or those who need to go outside for groceries and medicine. The governor’s order issued Monday mirrors similar orders in adjacent Illinois, Michigan and Ohio to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Holcomb’s order begins at 11:59 p.m. …

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has issued a statewide stay-at-home order to curb the spread of the coronavirus, with an exemption for certain workers, outdoor exercise and trips to the grocery store or hospital. The order, which will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, will allow essential employees necessary to sustain and protect life to continue going to work. Businesses also …

The Three Rivers City Commission is accepting applications to complete a term for a citizen-at-large spot on the seven-member board. Citizen interest forms are available online through the city’s website, threeriversmi.org. Deadline for the applications is noon April 3. The position became available with the resignation of Janelle Hart, a five-year board member who is moving out of the city. …

President Donald Trump is falsely asserting how quickly automakers including GM, Ford and Tesla can manufacture ventilators to help fill an acute U.S. shortage of the medical equipment for coronavirus patients. That’s the finding of an AP Fact Check. In fact, Ford and GM have yet to start production. It would take those companies months, if not longer, to begin …