Government

State Sen. Kim LaSata issued a statement Tuesday centering on an announcement concerning a considerable expansion at Three Rivers-based American Axle. According to the Michigan Strategic Fund, American Axle has been granted a five-year State Essential Services Assessment Exemption for its $40.6 million expansion project. The tax exemption, worth an estimated $470,000, will help the company complete the project that …

A high-lift was stolen Monday from a location on Blue School Road in Mottville Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were notified shortly before 11 a.m. that the high-lift was taken off a flat-bed trailer parked in the 71000 block of Blue School Road. The 2019 Polaris RZR 1000 high-lifter that was black in color. The trailer it was on …

A Niles resident was injured in a two-vehicle collision Tuesday in Cass County’s Mason Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 7:40 a.m. to the intersection of Cassopolis Road and Redfield Street in response to an accident with injuries. An initial investigation shows a southbound vehicle driven by Rebecca Geister, 42, of Niles, began to proceed through the …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer scaled back COVID-19 workplace safety rules on Tuesday, keeping mask and other requirements only in health care settings. The change coincided with the lifting of broad indoor capacity restrictions and face covering mandates that had been in place for 15 months. The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s new emergency rules align with federal regulations that aim to protect health workers …

Michigan is fully open again. After 15 months of capacity restrictions and being hit by the country’s worst surge of coronavirus infections this spring, Michigan’s restaurants, entertainment businesses and other venues can operate at 100% occupancy starting Tuesday. Limits on large indoor gatherings such as weddings and funerals are gone. So is a broad requirement that the unvaccinated be masked indoors, a …

A Sherman Township residence was destroyed by fire that authorities believe was caused by a lighting strike. The incident occurred Friday morning during a storm that included a fair amount of lightning. A specific location of the residence was not indicated by authorities. Nobody was home at the time of the fire and there were no injuries suffered by members …

Sheriff Richard J Behnke reports that on Sunday at approximately 1:37 p.m., deputies responded to a single crop duster aircraft crash around the 27000 block of Indian Lane near Cassopolis. The pilot, 68-year-old Ralph Edward Lutes of Shipshewana, was transported to Elkhart General Hospital for treatment of unknown injuries sustained in the crash. The plane was crop dusting a nearby …

A store in Mottville Township was robbed by an armed suspect earlier this week. Michigan State Police troopers were called at 9:30 p.m. Monday to investigate an incident at Dollar General, on U.S. 12 in Mottville. The suspect is described to be a white male, approximately 6’3” with a heavy-set build. The suspect vehicle is a Trailblazer, tan and gold …

A Sturgis woman was airlifted from the scene of a two-vehicle collision earlier this week in Florence Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called around 3 p.m. Wednesday to the intersection of Lutz and Dickinson roads. Investigators said a Ford pickup driven southbound on Lutz Rd by the 58-year-old Sturgis woman was struck by a Chevrolet SUV driven west …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners discussed a few matters of note Tuesday. Chairman Dennis Allen said the county’s Commission on Aging is hosting karaoke at its Sturgis location 5 to 8 p.m. Monday. The Three Rivers site will host karaoke from 5 to 8 p.m. June 29. In addition, commissioner Ken Malone said the county’s parks …