News

Business groups challenge minimum wage, sick leave proposals

Proposals to raise the Michigan minimum wage and require paid sick time came under fire from pro-business lobbying groups Friday, the deadline to challenge the two ballot initiatives. The first, a movement by the union-endorsed Michigan One Fair Wage committee to pay Michigan workers $12 an hour and abolish the tipped minimum wage, is being challenged by hospitality industry group …

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McDonald’s removing salads from 3,000 stores after illness

McDonald’s is stopping the sale of salads at 3,000 restaurants after people became sick from a parasite causing intestinal illness. The Chicago-based fast-food chain said Friday it’s acting “out of an abundance of caution” until switching to another supplier. Health officials in Illinois and Iowa say they’ve identified roughly 100 combined cases of cyclosporiasis apparently linked to consuming McDonald’s salads. …

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TR man injured in motorcycle crash

A Three Rivers man was injured Thursday afternoon when the motorcycle he was riding collided with a deer on Harvey Street near Robbins Lake Road in Porter Township. Cass County sheriff Richard Behnke identified the driver as 28-year-old T.J. Loyer. He was transported by ambulance to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. Police say a helmet was not worn.

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Budget talks continue in Colon

Colon municipal officials are debating whether to raise the hourly rate for newly hired police officers. During Tuesday’s village council meeting, interim village manager Tom Tenney said a proposed starting rate of $15 an hour is being considered. The current starting hourly rate is $13. Sgt. Joel Herr said he and chief Mark Brinkert are hoping to get some help …

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Man seriously injured in accidental shooting

A Branch County man was shot accidentally earlier this week in Union Township. State police troopers were called at 11 p.m. Wednesday to Hodunk Road in Branch County, where the man was shot in a field behind a residence. Investigators said the hunter was lying down in the field, as he was varmint hunting. A resident of the home mistook …

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Wreckage believed to be from 1997 plane crash found

Authorities believe they have discovered the wreckage of a small plane that crashed more than 20 years ago in northern Michigan. The Mackinac County sheriff’s office says national forest personnel found the wreckage Wednesday in the Hiawatha National Forest near St. Ignace in the Upper Peninsula. A single-engine Piper took off Sept. 14, 1997, from Drummond Island in Lake Huron. …

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Minor injuries in crash

A motorist who disregarded a “Road Closed” sign was injured in a single-vehicle accident Thursday afternoon in Cass County’s Wayne Township. Deputies were called at 3:15 p.m. to Marcellus Highway, west of O’Keefe Road. An investigation showed that a vehicle driven by 51-year-old Lawrence resident Roberta Craft disregarded a “Road Closed” sign and her vehicle struck a ditch made in …

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Public boat docks in Colon – Discussion continues

Colon’s interim village manager gave an ultimatum Tuesday to the seven-member village council. Tom Tenney said he would give up the post if the council decided to let someone else develop an ordinance regarding docks in public areas. The issue that sparked Tenney’s comment centers on an offer from a group of local residents and business owners who have agreed …

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Woman seriously injured in crash

A Dowagiac woman was injured in a single-vehicle crash Wednesday in Cass County’s Wayne Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 11:40 a.m. to Dewey Lake Road, near Roth Road. Investigators found that 31-year-old Trisha Smith was driving west on Dewey Lake when her vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree.  Consequently, her vehicle overturned and caught fire. …

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Police investigate stolen golf cart

A golf cart was stolen last week from a location in White Pigeon Township. State police troopers responded to the 19000 block of Dickinson Road, where an EZ-GO golf cart was reported stolen. It was taken between noon July 6 and the early morning hours of July 7. The golf cart has a lift kit, off-road tires, the number “34” …

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