Government

Indiana officials say more baby boxes are coming to the state’s hospitals and firehouses. The Post-Tribune reports that Crown Point added one box last week at a firehouse, making a total of six boxes in Northwest Indiana. Baby boxes are padded, climate-controlled boxes where people can leave newborns safely and anonymously at hospitals or firehouses. Hospital officials say the boxes …

Michigan would become the fifth state to require that egg-laying hens be housed in cage-free areas under legislation approved by the state House and backed as aligning farms with where the industry is headed. The main bill is part of a broader update of the state’s animal industry law. The measure would change and delay confinement standards for hens. Each …

St. Joseph County Sheriff Brad Balk announced Tuesday he will retire at the end of January. Balk, 65, said his last day will be Jan. 31, 11 months before the end of his four-year elected term. Sheriff since 2009, Balk appeared before county commission members and read a one-page letter in which he stated his plans to step down. He …

Mendon Township voters on Tuesday approved a ballot question asking whether they support an ordinance to allow solar panel development. By a margin of just 12 votes, 331 in favor to 319 opposed, residents sided with the township board and the language of an ordinance it approved back in April. In essence, the language would allow Geronimo Energy of Minnesota …

Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry and three incumbent city commission members will return for an additional two years. Based on results from Tuesday’s election, Lowry, at-large commissioner Janell Hart, Third District commissioner Chris Abel and First District commissioner Pat Dane all were re-elected. Dane, who earned 622 votes, easily fended off a challenge from write-in candidate Geoffrey Clark. Clark drew …

Legislation advancing in Michigan would lift the state’s ban on baiting and feeding deer in the Lower Peninsula and parts of the Upper Peninsula. The state House approved the bill 56-49 Tuesday. It goes to the Senate for future consideration. The ban was initially instituted by the Michigan Natural Resources Commission in 2018. The bill sponsor, Republican Rep. Michelle Hoitenga …

An 8-year-old northern Indiana girl has died of injuries she sustained in a fire at her home. The LaGrange County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were called to the home in Topeka around 7:15 p.m. Friday on reports of a fire and a child still inside on the second floor. Deputies attempted to enter the home but could not due to …

Bills advancing in Michigan’s Legislature would create an address confidentiality program to protect victims of domestic violence and stalking. The legislation was approved unanimously by the Senate on Tuesday. Crime victims certified to participate would have a state address and be able to keep their residential addresses secret in publicly available voting, driver’s license and other records. The state Department …

Here’s the latest update from Michigan Department of Transportation regarding the redevelopment of U.S. 131 in Three Rivers. Stage 3 traffic pattern remains in place, resulting in two-way traffic on northbound U.S. 131 at its southern junction with M-60, and two-way northbound traffic at the Hoffman Road/Rocky River bridge. Utility relocation work remains ongoing throughout the project, while work at …

Here’s the weekly update from Michigan Department of Transportation regarding the U.S. 131 reconstruction in Three Rivers. Stage 3 traffic plan is in place and two-way traffic is operating on northbound U.S. 131 at M-60 junction toward the south end of the project, as well as northbound at the Hoffman Road/Rocky River bridge area at its north end. Meanwhile, utility-relocation …