Government

Here’s a weekly update from the Michigan Department of Transportation regarding the U.S. 131 project in Three Rivers. For northbound and southbound lanes, construction will continue on the existing median curb lane islands. They will be replaced with temporary paving this week. Meanwhile, crews will continue utility work on outside shoulders, while median work will also continue on median traffic …

Law-enforcement agencies locally and across the state will begin a program next week focusing on seatbelt use. Stepped up enforcement begins Monday and will involve local departments, county sheriff departments and state police. The “Click It or Ticket” campaign will conclude June 2. The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning staged a media gathering Thursday to help promote the program. …

A 54-year-old Sherwood man was arrested earlier this week on charges stemming from a domestic-assault incident. Michigan State Police troopers were called around 6 p.m. Monday to a residence in Sherwood in response to a report of domestic assault. The suspect fled the scene prior to troopers’ arrival. A search of a wooded area on Barnhart Road, near Webb Road …

The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging is scheduling tours of model apartments at the future Rivers Enrichment Center & Residence. The renovation of the former Three Rivers Inn into an enrichment center and residence for seniors features 46 apartments and is scheduled to be completed in August. To be eligible for an apartment in the new facility, prospective tenants …

Cass County sheriff’s officials arrested a man early Friday following a two-county pursuit. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies attempted to stop the suspect, who was driving a stolen vehicle. The vehicle eventually crashed on M-40, south of Hoffman Street in an area of Jones. The suspect fled on foot and was able to elude deputies and a K-9 officer. A …

State Rep. Aaron Miller last week voted in favor of a measure to help bring lower car insurance prices to residents and families in Southwest Michigan. He joined House legislators in approving a plan to reform Michigan’s no-fault system. The plan guarantees lower rates for all drivers in Michigan, reducing what currently is the highest average car insurance premium in …

State police troopers are investigating a hit-and-run accident that involved a vehicle and a horse-drawn buggy in Branch County. The incident occurred at 10 p.m. Wednesday on Hamman Road near State Line Road in California Township. Investigators said a black passenger car traveling north on Hamman Road crossed the center line and struck a southbound buggy head on. The buggy …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed legislation to forgive Michigan schools from rescheduling up to four snow days that occurred during an artic deep freeze in which she declared a state of emergency. The law will let schools not count the Jan. 29-Feb. 1 period toward a cap on snow days. State law forgives districts from making up six days that …

Investigation into the shooting death of a 51-year-old woman in Fawn River Township is continuing, though few details are available from authorities. Pauline Randol was the victim. Her 9-year-old adopted son was allegedly responsible for the shooting, killing her after he fired a rifle at her. Court records show the boy was charged with one count of open murder and …

Two Sturgis-area residents were added to the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging board. By unanimous vote at Tuesday’s county commission meeting, the citizen-interest forms submitted by Lee Austermann and George Letts were approved.