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Authorities from several Michigan and Indiana police agencies helped in an effort to track a suspect responsible for the issuance of an Amber Alert early Thursday. According to Sturgis Police Chief Geoff Smith, the child-abduction alert was issued after 37-year-old Fernando Mendoza Cruz was allegedly responsible for an assault at his residence, in the 100 block of Pioneer Street. Officers …

Michigan residents should prepare for emergencies and disasters by making an emergency plan with their loved ones and learning life-saving skills as part of Michigan’s “Preparedness Month,” according to the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division. Throughout September, the MSP/EMHSD is joining federal, state and local governments, as well as private and public organizations, in supporting emergency-preparedness …

There’s rubber in a road in southwestern Michigan. Nearly 14,000 scrap tires have been recycled on a pavement project on West W Avenue in Schoolcraft in Kalamazoo County. The county Road Commission says the goal is to create a cost-effective and environmentally friendly surface. The pavement designs were created in labs at Michigan Technological University in the Upper Peninsula. The Kalamazoo …

Regulatory commissions in both Indiana and Michigan have now incorporated savings generated by the federal Tax Cut and Jobs Act into the bills of Indiana Michigan Power customers. The Michigan Public Service Commission approved bill credits this week totaling $8.7 million for Michigan customers. The bill credit resulting from the federal corporate tax cut will provide a savings of $3.64 …

Three bats, two in St. Joseph County and one in Branch County, have tested positive for rabies, Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency Prevention Services Director Yvonne Atwood said last week. Atwood said more than a dozen bats have been tested this year. Six bats from Hillsdale County were tested, but none came back positive for the viral disease of mammals …

Bill MacDaniels was awarded the Outstanding Service Award at last month’s Burr Oak Heritage Days. The honor goes to a person who makes extra effort to support the village of Burr Oak, said Sue Sturwold, a member of the selection committee. MacDaniels’ community contributions include buying rental properties and making them into quality homes. Several decades ago, when Burr Oak …

Board members from the River Country Sports Commission had plenty to be thankful for Tuesday, as they added a trio of considerable donations toward the group’s fundraising goal of $1.2 million. The biggest donation for the 17-field sports complex was announced after the fanfare Tuesday, when it was revealed that a $300,000 gift was being made from lifelong Three Rivers …

Sheriff’s deputies were involved in a pursuit following an incident last weekend in Burr Oak Township. According to a department media release, the incident originated at 5:30 a.m. on Maystead Road, near Carpenterson Road, where it was reported that a Honda passenger car struck a front-end loader. Occupants of the Honda passenger car were reported to be leaving the site, …

Members of Centreville’s 2018 Division 4 state-champion softball team helped unveil a highway sign in their honor Monday. Purchased by the Centreville Downtown Development Authority with authorization from the village council, the blue and gold marker placed along M-86 at the eastern village limit will be joined by another on the west. Centreville DDA chair Pattie Bender said she spoke …

The Michigan Public Service Commission has approved nearly $9 million in electricity rate cuts for customers of Indiana Michigan Power Co. because of utility savings from the federal corporate income tax overhaul. The panel on Tuesday said I&M residential customers who use an average of 500 kilowatt hours will see their monthly bills go down $1.82 beginning in September. I&M …