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Nearly half of Michigan residents live in counties where the federal government is urging everyone ages 2 and over, including the fully vaccinated, to wear masks in public indoor settings because transmission of the coronavirus is “high” or “substantial.” The guidance affected 33 of 83 counties as of Monday — including large ones such as Oakland, Macomb and Ingham — up from …

An official resigned as chairman of a county board in Michigan, the latest fallout from his decision to give himself a $25,000 bonus with federal COVID-19 relief money and reward others in the community. Jeremy Root will remain one of seven Shiawassee County commissioners but will no longer lead the board. “This whole county government needs major reform. … The integrity of …

A Burr Oak woman was treated for minor injuries after the vehicle she was driving was rear-ended last week in Burr Oak Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called around 6:30 a.m. Friday to the intersection of U.S. 12 and Halfway Road in response to a two-vehicle collision. Investigators said Rebecca Smallwood, 36, was driving west and began slowing …

Here’s the latest COVID-19 update from the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. The agency said Branch County is seeing the largest increase, with 76 new cases during the one-week period ending July 26. Meanwhile, Hillsdale County had 17 new cases and St. Joseph County had 13 new cases. As a result of its increase, Branch County has been labeled “high …

June’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by one-tenth of a percent from May. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget was released last week. It showed St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate fell from 5.6 percent in May to 5.5 percent in June. The rate was 10.7 percent a year earlier, as June …

The Animal Rescue Fund (ARF) will conduct a “Doggy Wash” this Saturday, August 7, from 9 AM until 3 PM. The wash will take place at the TSC store located on the east side of US-131, just north of West Michigan Avenue. The only cost is a donation to ARF. Bring the family out and enjoy the fun of having …

A man wanted in the killing of his 82-year-old father, whose body was found last week in his Kalamazoo-area home, was arrested Saturday. Scott Sterffy, age 56, was arrested in Kalamazoo and is expected to be arraigned Monday, the Portage Department of Public Safety said in a news release. Steffry was wanted on an open murder charge and a charge …

The remains of a mid-Michigan soldier killed in combat during the Korean War will be returned to his hometown for burial after military scientists identified them seven decades after his death. The remains of U.S. Army Sgt. William Cavender, age 20, were among more than 55 boxes of remains of U.S. servicemembers North Korea turned over to the U.S. in …

The University of Michigan and Michigan State University will require all students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the start of the fall semester. Both university presidents said Friday that action is being taken due to the spread of the more infectious delta variant. Michigan State is taking things a step further and requiring masks to be …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has provided updated figures regarding COVID-19 and its vaccinations for the week ending July 25. Agency officials said St. Joseph County reported 12 new cases and no deaths in the latest week. A week earlier, it had reported eight cases, and no deaths. Throughout the pandemic, the county has reported 6,288 cases and 101 …