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Pat Yoder, who holds St. Joseph County’s highest, non-elected position, was given a $10,000 raise last week. Two weeks after commissioners agreed to renew Yoder’s contract for 2015, his salary for the 12-month period was set at $115,000. He is also given a vehicle allowance of $6,000 annually. The matter was addressed during last week’s county commission meeting. Yoder, who …

State Rep. Aaron Miller was joined Tuesday on the House floor by Cass County Prosecuting Attorney Victor Fitz for Gov. Rick Snyder’s State of the State address in Lansing. The governor outlined his plans for his second term during the speech. Lawmakers are allowed one floor guest during the annual speech. Fitz is also president of the Michigan Prosecuting Attorneys …

A few personnel matters were approved during last week’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting. Erin Goff was hired as community corrections coordinator at more than $18 an hour, while Travis Balk was hired as a part-time corrections officer at a rate of more than $16 an hour. Also, a pay increase of 29 cents per hour was approved …

User fees are what keep Michigan state campgrounds running, and officials say the first rate increases in seven years are needed to cover the rising costs of maintaining and operating the facilities. The amount of the increase at a particular site depends on its popularity, said parks and recreation chief Ron Olson of the Department of Natural Resources. At those …

The city of Sturgis has delayed the opening of its downtown ice skating rink because of damage and vandalism. The rink liner was damaged when someone entered the fenced-in area before it was ready for use. Vandalism included panels that were pulled up. City officials are seeking tips from the public as they work to open the rink. (AP)

A 22-year-old man has apologized before being sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison for his involvement in the 2013 fatal shooting of a University of Michigan medical student. Shaquille Jones told a court in Ann Arbor on Wednesday that “I wish I could take it back.” Jones in January pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Twenty-five-year-old Paul DeWolf was …

Several Kalamazoo students turned out at a school board meeting to dispute allegations by a man who held a hunger strike to highlight what he believes is a problem with the district’s textbook policies. Six students from Loy Norrix High School went to the podium Thursday to say they weren’t getting an inferior education from the public school district, the …

State Rep. Aaron Miller has announced contact information for residents of the 59th House District who wish to reach him. Miller will continue to use former Rep. Matt Lori’s office phone number at 517-373-0832. Residents may also contact him at Box 30014, Lansing 48909, or by e-mail at AaronMiller@house.mi.gov. Miller said he wants to make it simple for people to …

Sturgis Public Schools’ Board of Education has detailed the successful sale of its 2015 refunding bonds, Series A, in the amount of about $25.3 million and 2015 refunding bonds, Series B, for about $10.6 million. The Series A bonds are being issued for the purpose of refunding that portion of the school district’s outstanding 2005 refunding bonds. Series A bonds …

The dean of Mendon Community Schools’ Board of Education has relinquished his role as president. During Monday’s organizational meeting for the seven-member board, Roger Cupp made a motion to elect Jim Fassett his replacement as board president. Fassett just joined the board but has previously served more than seven years before running again in November. Cupp, a board member for …