Government

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 …

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 …