Recent Posts

Cass County home destroyed by fire

Firefighters from several departments battled an early morning house fire Thursday in Cass County’s Porter Township, just outside Mottville. The fire was reported just after 5:30 a.m., when the residents were awakened by smoke. The occupants and their pets were able to flee the home, which was declared a complete loss. The cause of the fire is unknown at this …

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Head of Transportation Authority announces retirement

The leader of the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority the past 10 years has announced he will be retiring next month. Steve Yorks, who joined the agency in 2008 after previously working as transportation director for Three Rivers Community Schools, will stay on board through the end of July. In the meantime, he will train his replacement, Susan Vosmik, who …

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Sturgis Commissioners vote down medical marijuana motion

A motion regarding medical marijuana facilities failed Wednesday on a tie vote by members of the Sturgis City Commission. Language of the ordinance they were considering would have allowed provisioning centers in manufacturing and commercial zoning areas that were not within 1,000 feet of schools, churches, public parks or residential areas either inside or outside of the city. A dozen audience members spoke …

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Several serious injuries in TR area crash

Three people were injured in a two-car accident last week on U.S. 131 in Lockport Township. Sheriff Brad Balk said the incident occurred shortly before 11 a.m. Thursday at the intersection of Wilbur Road, where a Ford Escape, driven by 20-year-old Juan Hernandez-Espinoza, ran a red light traveling west and struck a southbound minivan, driven by 66-year-old Gary Russell. The …

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Authorities: No foul play in camper fire that killed 2 kids

Authorities say there’s no indication of foul play in a camper fire in southern Michigan that killed two young siblings and a dog and injured a third child. The Branch County sheriff’s office says the fire started around 10:30 a.m. Monday near Bronson. Chris Gump tells WWMT-TV he was outside the camper and saw smoke. He says he went inside …

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Michigan principal apologizes for Marine uniform comments

A high school principal in southern Michigan has apologized to two graduates whom he had chastised for wearing their Marine dress uniforms during commencement. Marshall High School Principal Scott Hutchins apologized Monday for his comments regarding the two students’ decision not to wear their caps and gowns on June 3, the Battle Creek Enquirer reported . School officials had told the two …

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Musk company to build Chicago-to-O’Hare express transport

Entrepreneur Elon Musk said Thursday a high-speed transportation system that will whisk people between downtown Chicago and O’Hare International Airport at speeds of up to 150 mph could be operational in about three years. Musk joined Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to formally announce that a Musk-owned enterprise, The Boring Company, was selected for the project and will fully fund it. …

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Colon attempts to amend village dock ordinance

The end result may not be realized until 2019, but steps are being taken to amend a village ordinance and allow for docks at a municipal park in Colon. The measure was approved by a 5-2 vote before a crowd of more than 40 people Tuesday. A group of local residents and business owners has offered to finance, install and …

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Homeowner stops break-in

A homeowner successfully dispatched a group of people attempting to break into his residence last week in Branch County’s Sherwood Township. State police said the incident occurred at 1 p.m. Friday in the 900 block of Mendon Road. Multiple suspects attempted to force entry into the residence by breaking through the glass of a door and trying to unlock it. …

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Woman injured in single car crash

A Bronson woman was injured in a single-vehicle accident last week in Cass County. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 8:40 p.m. Friday to the intersection of Born Street and Patterson Hill Road in Newberg Township. Investigators said 40-year-old Emily Davis, was driving east on Born Street when her vehicle ran off the roadway and struck a tree. …

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