After remaining steady at 11 since late summer, the St. Joseph County death count due to the COVID-19 virus now stands at 15. One death occurred the week before last according to comments last week by Rebecca Burns, Health Officer with the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency (BHSJ). Three more deaths were added to BHSJ’s online statistics early this week.
Gretchen Whitmer
Following a period of several weeks in which daily new cases declined in St. Joseph County, the COVID-19 infection rate climbed again this week with over 30 new cases.
In a marathon session, complete with ongoing negotiation between the GOP legislative leaders and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the state House and Senate on Wednesday finalized bills to address COVID-19 policies centering on unemployment benefits and business liability.
First District County Commission candidate Andrew George announced earlier this week that he has received the endorsement of Governor Gretchen Whitmer. George’s campaign received word of the endorsement by email from a gubernatorial staffer on Tuesday.
The Glen Oaks Community College (GOCC) Board of Trustees held a planning retreat and regular meeting Thursday morning at the college. President Dr. David Devier and other administrators and staff provided updates on pandemic cases and measures at the college, as well as on several student funding programs provided with assistance from the State of Michigan. Devier also said Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the college’s 2021 budget at flat funding.
Superintendent Ron Moag said a recent masking policy for all students and staff will remain in place at all Three Rivers Community Schools (TRCS) buildings. At a Board of Education (BOE) work session Monday evening, Moag said state agencies like the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) continue to require them despite a Friday Michigan Supreme Court Decision pertaining to the legal legitimacy of pandemic-related Executive Orders from the Governor’s Office.
The Michigan Supreme Court on Friday ruled that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer did not possess the legal authority under two laws to extend states of emergency and issue executive orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whitmer said after 21 days, a number of health and safety protocols she has mandated will continue under “alternative sources of authority that were not at issue” in Friday’s ruling.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Thursday a landmark investment in Michigan’s notoriously underfunded water infrastructure, prompting praise from environmental groups who say the action is a much-needed step in the right direction.
The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners weighed Wednesday whether to send a letter to Governor Gretchen Whitmer regarding Prosecutor John McDonough’s status. McDonough has been on paid leave since being arrested in a May drunk driving incident for which he will soon stand trial.
Michigan leaders are close to nailing down a $62.8 billion state budget plan for Fiscal Year 2021, as legislators released details Wednesday and started to approve bills.
Michigan residents with bottles and cans still piled up will soon have more options for redeeming their 10-cent deposits, the Michigan Department of Treasury announced Monday.
Torrey Brown argues that everyone has their fingers pointed at governors, claiming that they are responsible for this or that during the pandemic, while not realizing who is ultimately responsible for it all.
The total number of deaths in St. Joseph County related to the global COVID-19 pandemic rose again this week, according to statistical charts on county and state websites.
A letter to the editor, from Naomi Ludman of Dowagiac, concerning what she calls “the the swift, bold action of Governor (Gretchen) Whitmer” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues with an uptick in cases in St. Joseph County and elsewhere in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer continues to issue orders that modify or add to existing orders regarding mask use. In light of the tighter rules, Watershed Voice spoke with some local law enforcement officials to find out how they are treating mask usage around Three Rivers and St. Joseph County.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer acknowledged she will be extending the state’s Stay at Home order past its current April 30 deadline
“Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has been trying to stay in front of this pandemic and is making decisions based on our safety, the constituents of her state. Requesting supplies from the federal government, closing schools, and issuing stay-at-home orders are all part of an attempt to flatten the curve on this deadly virus, and will save lives if done correctly. Her decision to extend the stay-at-home orders and to create more stringent rules are not because she has decided to be a dictator, nor are they because she is trying to become Joe Biden’s running mate.
“It’s because we as residents of this state were not making intelligent decisions.”
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer updated Michigan on the novel coronavirus Wednesday hours after thousands of protestors jammed the Capitol to protest her executive order.