News

The St. Joseph County United Way is in the final stages of collecting items for the 2023 Silent Auction. The annual auction takes place during the St. Joseph County Grange Fair. Agency director Kelly Hostetler said donations of new merchandise, gift cards or cash to purchase items are still being accepted. The auction takes place in Barn 45 and is …

An effort by St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners to remove Sheriff Mark Lillywhite from office took a step forward last week. A letter expressing the board’s concerns about Lillywhite was mailed Saturday to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. A copy was also submitted to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners agreed Aug. 15 to initiate the …

The Salvation Army of Kalamazoo County has a volunteer opportunity through a program called The Kickback. It is a weekly, after-school program starting Sept. 19 and will continue 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday throughout the school year at its Kalamazoo location. The after-school program will engage kids in physical, educational and imaginative activities that encourage the exploration of who …

Michigan State Police are investigating the death of a 2-year-old boy hit by a trailer last week in Cass County’s Porter Township. Troopers were called at 3:30 p.m. Friday to Carter Lake Street, near Robbins Lake Road, after receiving reports that a child had been hit by a trailer. He was identified as Jackson Crager. Investigators said life-saving measures were administered …

A 19-year-old Illinois man was arrested over the weekend in Fawn River Township after authorities observed him driving a car in excess of 150 miles per hour. A pursuit of the driver started Sunday night on the Indiana Toll Road, where Indiana State Police attempted to pull over the eastbound driver. He exited at the Howe/LaGrange interchange and proceeded north …

Branch County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a motorcycle-versus-deer incident earlier this week in Bronson Township. The 20-year victim, Skylar Hoard, was heading north on Matteson Lake Road when the motorcycle he was driving struck a deer near the intersection of Kinter Road. The incident occurred at 6:15 a.m. Monday. Hoard was treated at ProMedica Coldwater Regional Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, …

Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department are investigating a larceny from a vehicle parked near a business in White Pigeon Township. The incident occurred Saturday night in the 17000 Block of U.S. 12. Authorities said the suspect entered a vehicle and stole cordless power tools.

A Flint-based health care organization is going through steps following its recently announced interest in acquiring Sturgis Hospital. Insight has signed a letter of intent to acquire Sturgis Hospital, which has been looking for an investor-buyer in recent months. The hospital has been struggling financially and recently switched to a rural emergency hospital format to stem costs. The REH setup …

Two natural gas providers in Michigan have received permission to raise their rates. The Michigan Public Service Commission last week approved agreements with Michigan Gas Utilities and Consumers Energy, allowing the two companies to raise rates charged to natural-gas customers. Company officials said the increase was needed to help fund safety and reliability upgrades, and to cover increasing costs for …

A St. Joseph County farmer will be inducted into the Michigan Farmers Hall of Fame during a ceremony later this week. Ira Krupp has been in the agriculture industry for 37 years and owns 200 acres of land in Mendon Township. He grows row crops, corn and soybeans. Hall of Fame directors said Krupp’s management demonstrates a high level of …