Government

Twenty more people have died in Michigan from COVID-19, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths to 5,843 as the state’s economy continues to reopen, state officials said Saturday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said that aside from the 5,843 confirmed deaths, the state has also had 244 presumed deaths, in which the individuals’ death certificates listed …

A Battle Creek man has been charged in the March death of a woman who police believe was fatally shot in her home before her body was burned along a remote road. Jose Juarez, 26, was arrested Thursday and charged with open murder, mutilation of a dead body and three other counts in the death of Alison Sargent, a 25-year-old …

A 62-year-old woman died in a hit-and-run incident Thursday in the parking lot at the Three Rivers Meijer. Three Rivers Police were called shortly after 1 p.m. in response to a pedestrian struck by a car. Witnesses told investigators the driver ran the victim over and continued from the scene. Officers are looking for a black 2015 body style Chevrolet …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday extended Michigan’s coronavirus emergency declaration through July 16, enabling her to keep intact certain business closures, longer unemployment benefits and other changes after she previously lifted a stay-at-home order. The Democratic governor — who has been gradually reopening the state — hopes to let gyms, movie theaters and bowling alleys restart by July 4. They …

The state of Michigan has lifted the suspension of a barber’s license, but he still faces a hearing for cutting hair while shops and salons were closed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. An administrative law judge on Tuesday granted the state’s request to lift Karl Manke’s suspension. Regulators said an “imminent threat” to public health no longer exists at the Owosso barbershop. …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Wednesday she is optimistic about a return to in-person instruction at K-12 schools in the fall, announcing she will release further guidance on June 30. The governor said she will issue an executive order that will provide details on what will be required to reopen schools and what will be recommended. Schools were closed in March …

A 45-year-old Three Rivers man died in a motorcycle accident over the weekend. According to a media release from the Three Rivers Police Department, officers were called shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday to Hoffman Street, in the area of Wood Street, in response to a single-vehicle accident. Upon further investigation, officers learned the driver was traveling east on Hoffman Street …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Friday that overnight camps and school-related sports activities can resume on Monday — the latest coronavirus restrictions to be lifted as the state economy reopens. The governor’s order says the residential camps can open subject to guidance from the state’s licensing department. Summer day camps were able to start opening earlier this week. All camps are strongly recommended …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Friday that barbershops and other personal-care businesses can reopen across Michigan on June 15, while those businesses and places like gyms and movie theaters that were shut down for months to curb the coronavirus can restart in northern Michigan next week. Also, the state health department for the first time began reporting probable COVID-19 cases and deaths, not …

Fire damaged or destroyed at least five homes in Kalamazoo, including one where an 84-year-old woman had lived for more than four decades, authorities said Wednesday. The woman was not injured, the Department of Public Safety said. The other properties were vacant. The fires were reported around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. Kalamazoo, which was under a 7 p.m. curfew, has been …