Government

A 21-year-old man faces a charge of open murder following an incident Thursday in Three Rivers. According to a media release from the Three Rivers Police Department, police were called at 9:43 a.m. to the 300 block of Middle Street. Upon arrival, investigators found a 59-year-old Three Rivers man dead at the scene. Due to the nature of the incident, …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday further relaxed stay-at-home restrictions, lifting a ban on nonessential health procedures late next week and letting residents immediately gather socially in small groups before the Memorial Day weekend. Retail businesses can reopen by appointment only, starting Tuesday, as long as there are no more than 10 customers inside at a time. People are required to …

Michigan’s top election official said Tuesday that absentee ballot applications will be mailed to all 7.7 million registered voters for the August primary and November general election. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said the step — announced as the state continues to confront the coronavirus pandemic — ensures no one “has to to choose between their health and their right …

Three items of new business will be discussed by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners today. During their twice-a-month meeting at 5 o’clock, commissioners will consider approving a grant for animal control. Other agenda items center on an Emergency Management/COVID-19 update from Emergency Management Services director Erin Goff and potential approval of a COVID-19 Preparedness and Response plan. The …

Restaurants, bars and other retail businesses can reopen in much of northern Michigan starting Friday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Monday — a key step for the tourism-dependent region before the Memorial Day weekend and summer season. Bars and restaurants, which have only been able to do pickup and delivery, will have to limit capacity to 50%. Groups will be required …

The St. Joseph County prosecutor, who is accused of drunken driving, told police that he crashed into a fence after a “coughing fit,” according to a 911 call. The incident involving county prosecutor John McDonough occurred Monday in Lockport Township, on the north side of Three Rivers. “Hey, this is John McDonough. I had a coughing fit and went off …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Friday it is her “hope” that K-12 schools can reopen for in-person instruction in the fall and created an advisory council to recommend ways to ensure a safe and equitable return. The governor, who closed schools in March to curb the coronavirus, stopped short of saying schools definitely will be allowed to reopen in late August …

Michigan will confront multibillion-dollar declines in tax revenue and record-high enrollment in government health insurance programs — a double whammy from the coronavirus pandemic that may lead to major cuts in services. Legislative experts and top officials in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration agreed to revised budget estimates Friday after hearing economic forecasts. The steep downward revision from revenue estimates issued just four …

St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough was arrested last evening following a one-car crash on Lovers Lane in Lockport Township on the north side of Three Rivers. According to Sheriff Mark Lillywhite, deputies arrived on scene to find a black SUV parked on the north side of the road. There was damage to the vehicle and a property owner’s fence.  …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Monday that she wants 450,000 Michiganders to be tested for the coronavirus this month, an average of nearly 15,000 a day, a critical goal because social-distancing cannot go on indefinitely until a vaccine is developed. Testing is on the rise. Tests first surpassed 10,000 in a day less than two weeks ago and stayed above that …