Government

Fatal crash on US-131 near M-60

A Constantine man died in a two-vehicle crash on Friday in Fabius Township. Michigan State Police troopers were called to an area near the south intersection of U.S. 131 and M-60 in response to a head-on crash. Investigators said a Ford Escape was traveling south on 131 when it crossed into the northbound lane. The Escape collided with a semi …

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11-year-old girl hospitalized after South Bend house fire dies, bringing death toll to 6 young siblings

An 11-year-old girl who was hospitalized for burns following a northern Indiana house fire has died, bringing the fire’s death toll to six children, all of them siblings, authorities said Monday. Angel Smith died Friday at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, the Marion County Coroner’s Office said in a Monday update. Her death was confirmed one day after a vigil was …

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Gov. Whitmer focuses on education in State of the State ahead of key term for Democrats

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called for increased investments in education through initiatives such as free community college for all high school graduates and free preschool for 4-year-olds in a State of the State speech Wednesday night focused on cutting costs for residents. The second-term Democratic governor’s speech preceded a legislative session that may require lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to …

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A house fire in South Bend has killed 5 children and injured another

Fire tore through a house in South Bend, killing five children and leaving a sixth in treatment Monday for burns. People, including children, were trapped by flames on the second floor Sunday evening, the South Bend Fire Department said. Five children were pronounced dead. The sixth was taken to a hospital and later airlifted to one in Indianapolis. An adult …

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Courts building renovation continues

The estimated $7.7 million renovation of the county courts building highlights what to expect from St. Joseph County government in the coming 12 months. The 50-year-old courts building houses circuit, district and probate/family court operations. The courts building is at the south end of the courthouse campus and connected to the county’s historic courthouse by an interior breezeway. A portion …

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Michigan home explosion heard for miles kills 4 and injures 2

Four people died and two others were injured Saturday in a Michigan house explosion that could be heard miles away, police said. The explosion happened before 4 p.m. in Northfield Township, about 45 miles west of Detroit. The structure was destroyed, leaving only the basement, Northfield Township Police Lt. David Powell told reporters Saturday. The blast, which could be heard …

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New housing development in Vicksburg

The first hurdle for a new housing development in Vicksburg was cleared earlier this month. Vicksburg Planning Commission members discussed the proposed Homestead at Centennial neighborhood. It is slated for development on a 35-acre parcel between Trillium Plat and the original Centennial neighborhoods. It is on the west side of South 22nd Street. Allen Edwin Homes is proposing a 118-unit …

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New monitor/defibrillator for Sturgis ambulance

A new monitor/defibrillator is on its way to the Sturgis ambulance network next year. City commission members last week approved $40,000 for the purchase of a Lifepak 15v4 monitor/defibrillator from Stryker Corp. Sturgis Department of Public Safety Director Ryan Banaszak said the fire division was in need of another cardiac monitor for its third ambulance. Since adding the spare/transfer ambulance …

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Trapped in his crashed truck, an Indiana man is rescued after 6 days surviving on rainwater

A 27-year-old man survived for six days on only rainwater while pinned tightly inside his crashed pickup truck beneath a highway bridge in northwest Indiana. His ordeal ended when two men scouting for fishing spots Tuesday afternoon noticed the badly damaged vehicle, its white airbag deployed, and reached inside. “They touched the body, and the person turned their head and …

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White Pigeon board recall invalid

An attempted recall of the five-member White Pigeon Township Board is no longer valid due to timing. With less than a year before their terms on the board expire, supervisor Don Gloy, treasurer Trudy Gloy, clerk Lacie Pletcher, and trustees Jean Tefft and Vince Schroen, will not be subject to a recall. County clerk Lindsay Oswald said state law prohibits …

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