Government

About 39% of Michigan communities that approved a recreational marijuana ballot measure last year have since introduced local bans that prohibit businesses selling pot. Michigan’s Marijuana Regulatory Agency issued emergency rules in July giving local authorities six months to introduce bans before it starts to accept applications for business licenses Nov. 1. MLive.com reports that 308 of the 792 cities …

A top Democratic lawmaker says Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s proposed 45-cents-a-gallon fuel tax increase is dead, and proposals such as raising the corporate income tax and taxing heavy trucks must be in the mix. House Minority Leader Christine Greig said Thursday that with majority Republicans vehemently opposing the 45-cent plan, there are alternative ways to raise revenue without having to increase …

Cass County Sheriff’s deputies were called earlier this month to a single-vehicle accident on Pokagon Highway. According to Sheriff Richard Behnke, deputies were dispatched around 11 p.m. Aug. 15 to an area in the vicinity of Pokagon Highway and Oak Grove Road in LaGrange Township. Ardee Joseph-Louis Mabry, 36, of Battle Creek, told authorities he was driving east on Pokagon …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week re-appointed five people and added a new face to the county’s Solid Waste Management Planning Committee. Two-year reappointments were approved for Sturgis-area residents John Smits and Frank Kalasky, Burr Oak Township resident Glenn Nissley, Carol Higgins of Mendon Township and Mark Ripplinger of Mottville Township. Their terms will be in place …

State police troopers were called over the weekend to a home in Branch County’s Sherwood Township regarding a domestic disturbance Troopers were dispatched Sunday to a residence where they learned the suspect had injured himself and fled on foot. A K-9 unit was summoned and led to the apprehension of the suspect in a nearby field. The suspect was transported …

Here’s the weekly update from Michigan Department of Transportation regarding its work on the U.S. 131 improvement project in Three Rivers. Stage 2 traffic pattern remains in place, as two-way traffic continues in the area of the M-60 junction as well as in the area of Hoffman Road at the north end of the project. Meanwhile, roadbuilding and box-culvert construction …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week approved a motion to allow the head of the Commission On Aging to sign off on apartment leases. Commissioners granted COA director Tim Stoll signatory authorization for leases at the Rivers Enrichment Center and Residence, the former Three Rivers Inn that is being converted to a 46-unit residence for …

Here’s a weekly update from the Michigan Department of Transportation regarding the U.S. 131 redevelopment project. Stage 2 traffic pattern remains in place, as two-way traffic continues in the area of the M-60 junction as well as in the area of Hoffman Road at the north end of the project. Meanwhile, road-building remains ongoing at William R. Monroe Boulevard, where …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Tuesday made exceptions to their hiring freeze and approved a trio of positions to be filled. A corrections officer for the sheriff’s department, a deputy district court clerk for its criminal division and a Juvenile Day Treatment supervisor were all granted approval to be filled as soon as possible. Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite said the …

The Michigan State Police have identified the man killed in a motorcycle accident Sunday night in Constantine Township. Troopers said that Spencer Minor, 28, of White Pigeon, was killed in the accident. He was riding his motorcycle southbound on U.S. 131 when another vehicle turned into his pathway, causing the accident. Minor was thrown from his bike into oncoming traffic. …