Recent Posts

I-94 pileup – Citations handed out

Dozens of drivers are being ticketed following January’s massive pileup on snowy Interstate 94 in southwestern Michigan that killed a 57-year-old trucker and closed a stretch of the roadway for two days, police announced Thursday. Traffic citations for 63 drivers, mostly for traveling too fast for road conditions, come after Michigan State Police completed the investigation into the Jan. 9 …

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Retail sales were down last month

The severe cold weather last month was not just brutal on state residents, but for Michigan’s retail industry as well as sales fell dramatically, based on a new monthy survey from the Michigan Retailers Association. The M-R-A’S February Michigan Retail Index survey shows sales plummeted as the temperature fell below zero repeatedly, with only 31-percent of their members able to increase …

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An addition for the courthouse building

Plans to begin pursuing a major addition to a portion of the St. Joseph County Courthouse were approved Tuesday by members of the county commission. The idea calls for a two-story addition to the west side of the current courts building. Each floor of the proposed rectangular-shaped addition would exceed more than 7,000 square feet and be designated for circuit, …

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Centreville – Some decisions to make

In light of Mendon Community Schools voting Monday to not renew the contract of Superintendent Rob Kuhlman for the 2015-16 academic year, Centreville Public Schools will have some decisions to make. Mark Trowbridge, president of the Centreville Board of Education, said the district’s position will be a topic of conversation at its 6:30 p.m. board meeting Monday. The neighboring districts …

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County commission news

All seven members of the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority Board were reappointed to serve two more years following action this week by the county commission. The terms of every board member expire April 1, prompting the county commission to act on the reappointment Tuesday, their last meeting before the first of the month. Returning to the transportation authority board …

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Theft investigation

Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched last week to Mottville Township in response to a stolen semi tractor. The incident, which was reported last Friday, occurred in the 69000 block of M-103 in Mottville Township. The semi is a blue 1994 Peterbilt with the words “TMX Industries LLC White Pigeon” on both doors.

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Malaria research at MSU

New research out of Michigan State University could help save the lives of children with a deadly form of malaria.​ ​The MSU study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, says researchers have discovered what causes the death of children with cerebral malaria, the deadliest form of the disease.​ ​MSU osteopathic physician Terrie Taylor says her research team discovered …

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Checking for concussions

The Michigan High School Athletic Association will begin a pilot program this fall using a new test to check for concussions in athletes. Executive Director Jack Roberts told WOOD-TV that anyone suspected of “getting their bell rung” will be asked to look at cards, or an iPad and read some numbers. The time to answer will be compared to a “test …

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Houdini’s death certificate among newly available records

Images of Michigan death records from the 1920s and ’30s, including the 1926 death certificate of performer Harry Houdini, are now available online. The records are being made available by the Archives of Michigan, which is charged with preserving records of government and other public institutions. Its website is seekingmichigan.org . Death certificates from 1897 to 1920 were previously available. …

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Embezzlement charges against Three Rivers teacher

A charge of felony embezzlement has been leveled against Three Rivers High School teacher Sara Freeman following her initial court appearance Monday. District Court Judge Jeff Middleton handled the preliminaries of the case, which involves the alleged embezzlement of more than $20,000. Freeman, 33, is a language arts teacher at the school. But in her additional capacity as yearbook advisor, …

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