News

          A musical tribute to the calendar year will be the focus of the 59th annual Mendon Kiwanis Showboat.           The musical and comedy stage show begins the first of its three-day run tonight at Mendon Elementary School. Showtime is 7:30 nightly.           Co-producers Kathy Pendergrass, Donna Dunlap and Rod Wall said the theme “It’s A …

A cat survived being shot with a crossbow and authorities are trying to find the person responsible. Laurie Sullivan tells the Battle Creek Enquirer she found the cat in Battle Creek with a crossbow arrow, known as a bolt, stuck through his neck. Sullivan, a former Battle Creek commissioner, says she was “mortified.” Benjamin Huelsbergen at Turner Veterinary Clinic removed …

An owl is recovering at a rehabilitation center for raptors after hitting the widow of a vehicle in central Michigan. The owl suffered a concussion but no fractures in the incident Saturday morning in Midland. The driver of the vehicle contacted police and a veterinarian who offered to help after she hit the owl and saw it injured on the …

Not surprisingly, a low voter turnout was recorded in three municipalities where elections took place Tuesday. In Three Rivers, about 5 percent of the city’s 5,100 registered voters participated in an uncontested election that saw Mayor Tom Lowry secure an additional two-year term. The 59-year-old Lowry, who has served as mayor of St. Joseph County’s second-largest community for 16 years, …

Voters in Burr Oak Community Schools were in a generous mood Tuesday, as a sinking-fund millage was approved by nearly a three-to-two margin. The 3-mill, five-year sinking fund request was supported by a vote of 116 in favor to 71 opposed. Tuesday’s request is identical to what was on the ballot in the May 5 election, when voters defeated the …

A proposed ordinance allowing more than two dogs in a single-family residence was defeated Tuesday by Sturgis voters. The proposed measure, which would have allowed up to three dogs in a residence, was defeated, 245 opposed to 132 in favor. In May, voters rejected a proposed ordinance amendment that would have lifted any limit on the number of dogs at …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners has thrown its support behind an event – believed to be the first of its kind locally – in which disabled veterans will have the opportunity to deer hunt. Organized by the county’s veterans services director Stoney Summey and parks and recreation director Jaymes MacDonald, the so-called Veterans’ Hunt 2015 will be conducted now …

It’s election day and voters in three St. Joseph County communities will head to the polls. In Three Rivers, a newcomer is expected to join three incumbents to the municipality’s seven-member city commission. All four positions are uncontested, meaning 16-year mayor Tom Lowry will oversee the commission for at least two more years. Joining him will be Jared Hoffmaster and …

For the second time in 2015, Sturgis voters will decide how many dogs can be kept at any single-family residence inside the city limits, without requiring an approved kennel designation. In May, voters rejected a proposed ordinance amendment that would have lifted any limit on the number of dogs at Sturgis properties. Following that vote, several residents asked the commission …

Burr Oak Community Schools again will ask voters to approve a 3-mill, five-year sinking fund request. The Nov. 3 request is identical to what was on the ballot in the May 5 election, when voters defeated the measure, 111-91. The millage would bring approximately $125,000 per year for the schools for the next five years for a total of $625,000. …