Brad Minor

It’s a pivotal moment for shopping. Consumers increasingly want their purchases to mean something by reflecting their values, their taste and the people they want to support. And yet, convenience has become the loudest voice in the room, making it hard to hear much else over it. Now, ahead of one of the biggest shopping weeks of the year, when the conversation is dominated by speed and price, we’re reminding shoppers that there is an alternative.

SHIAWASSEE COUNTY — Area stores are struggling to keep stock of essential items as shoppers panic buy staples, leaving some shelves completely empty. Wednesday morning, Kroger, Meijer and Walmart in Caledonia Township all were completely out of toilet paper, hand sanitizer and other items. Photos shared online from VG’s showed the bread aisle nearly bare.

CORUNNA — County officials Monday said there are still no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Shiawassee County — but they are continuing to monitor and test people under the assumption that the virus is already here. Officials said about 50 people are being monitored, but none are positive for the virus.