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The Republican-led Michigan Legislature has lengthened Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s coronavirus emergency declaration by 23 days, through April, rather than adopt a 70-day extension she sought into mid-June. Republicans say they had to vote Tuesday to keep Whitmer’s emergency declaration from expiring. But Democrats say it would not have lapsed because she issued a declaration last week, meaning legislators did …

Officials say Michigan deaths from the coronavirus rose 16% in the largest daily jump since the pandemic hit the state. The state reported 118 additional deaths related to the respiratory disease caused by the virus, raising the total to 845. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose 10% to nearly 19,000. Gov Gretchen Whitmer says “it’s another tough 24 hours” …

Michigan Department of Transportation has suspended work on the U.S. 131 redevelopment project in Three Rivers as a precaution against COVID-19. MDOT’s Nick Schirripa said crews will be on hiatus this week and next before resuming April 20. That return date, however, is subject to conditions at that time, Schirripa added. In the meantime, northbound and southbound U.S. 131 will …

A vehicle was stolen from the St. Joseph County Courthouse parking lot last month. Sheriff’s deputies were notified shortly after 5 p.m. March 20 that a dark blue, 2017 GMC Terrain SLT with a temporary Indiana plate was stolen. Through court security camera footage, it was established that the vehicle was taken from a parking lot south of the courthouse. …

Nearly 800,000 people have filed for unemployment benefits in Michigan since mid-March. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday detailed the stunning impact of the coronavirus on the state’s economy. Only businesses deemed essential remain open and Whitmer says her stay-at-home order will be extended in the coming days. She says more people have applied for unemployment aid in the last two …

White Pigeon Paper Company in White Pigeon will be listed on the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team’s website. The team last week updated officials from St. Joseph County and White Pigeon Township about investigation of contamination. The site will be added to the MPART web page because results of a groundwater monitoring exceeded the groundwater cleanup criteria. Michigan Department of …

Two longtime traditions in St. Joseph County are among the casualties of the coronavirus. Organizers of the 2020 Mendon Dust-Off old-car show decided last week to pull the plug on what would have been its 57th annual show May 3. Meanwhile, the twice-a-year collection of household hazardous waste and electronics at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds has been canceled. Solid …

Sturgis Department of Public Services crews will begin spring brush and leaf pickup today. While the compost site also was scheduled to open this morning, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the city is keeping it closed, along with other facilities, through April 13. For brush and leaf pickup, DPS crews will start on the north side of the city and work …

Michigan lawmakers plan to convene for the first time in weeks to lengthen Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s emergency declaration amid the coronavirus pandemic but are at odds over the extension and whether the session is even necessary. The Republican-led Legislature is scheduled to meet Tuesday, three weeks after last voting. Since then, one legislator has died from a suspected COVID-19 infection and another has tested …

State officials are reminding residents that permits to openly burn yard debris remain suspended across most of Michigan and that the dangers of fire are increasing as temperatures warm. Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources says recent fires, including a 21-acre blaze wildfire in Presque Isle County, have been caused by backyard debris burning. DNR firefighters also have stopped conducting prescribed …