Government

Michigan doctors and dentists have been ordered to postpone all nonessential medical procedures. Meanwhile, people who are suddenly out of work because of the coronavirus threat have flooded the state with claims for unemployment aid. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says medical procedures should be scratched unless necessary to preserve health and safety. At least 549 people in Michigan have tested positive …

Authorities say a northern Indiana man has died after a sheriff’s deputy used a stun gun to subdue him when he refused to drop a knife. St. Joseph County (Indiana) sheriff’s deputies on Wednesday went to a home in Granger, near South Bend, on a report that a knife-wielding man was chasing his wife. A deputy used the stun gun …

St. Joseph County government is temporarily closing to the public its offices in the historic courthouse as well as in its Annex 2, located east of the courthouse complex. County administrator Teresa Doehring announced Friday that the measure is in response to limiting potential exposure to the coronavirus. Departments affected by this move are county administration, county clerk and register …

A Three Rivers woman was involved in a two-vehicle crash last week in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 3:25 p.m. Friday to an area of U.S. 12 near Vera Drive. Investigators said a pick-up driven by 26-year-old Alexander Earl of Goshen was stopped to turn left into a driveway. It was struck from …

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced Friday that all 131 Michigan Secretary of State branch offices will be changing operations to slow the spread of the coronavirus. During a three-week period starting today, branches will only offer services for critical transactions that must be conducted in-person and only by appointment. Walk-ins will be asked to make an appointment, for the …

Effective March 16th, 2020, COA offices will be closed, including Enrichment Centers in Sturgis and Three Rivers. All activities and programs will be canceled at both centers. Services to clients in their home will be limited to once per week meals on wheels delivery and limited support to seniors who require personal care. Seniors who use these services will receive …

A millage request by Glen Oaks Community College was defeated Tuesday. By a margin of about 55 percent opposed to 45 percent in favor, the college failed in its request to secure half a mill increase over a five-year period. The request was seeking what amounted to $1 million a year and would have addressed maintenance, technology, safety and infrastructure …

Voters in Cass County’s Newberg Township have approved a request for maintaining fire, first responder and ambulance services. The results from Tuesday’s election show 195 votes in favor of the five-year request, while 65 opposed the measure. More than 20 percent of the township’s voters took part in the election. As a result, the township will collect more than $83,000 …

A 56-year-old Sturgis woman died Tuesday in a single-vehicle crash in White Pigeon Township. The incident occurred just before 11 a.m. on U.S. 12 near Hillandale Road in the Klinger Lake area. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, Karen Lynette Napier, 56, was driving west on U.S. 12 when her vehicle left the south side of the road and …

A home at Fish Lake was destroyed by fire Sunday. Firefighters from four departments responded to the blaze in the 63000 block of Pine Drive, about 8 miles northwest of Sturgis. Everyone inside the home exited safely, officials said, adding no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is still unknown, authorities said. Tri-Township Fire Chief, Max Kulpinski said …