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The Michigan House this week approved a state grant to make the Dodd Park Water Trail in Cass County more accessible. State Rep. Aaron Miller said the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant is included in House Bill 5377 to install new, barrier-free fixtures at the trail. The $277,000 project development grant is one of 44 such recommendations made by …

A Kendallville man accused of stabbing a Walmart employee last week in Sturgis remains in the St. Joseph County Jail. Randy Alan Decker, 48, is charged with one count of attempted murder, one count of armed robbery and two counts of resisting/obstructing a police officer. His bond was set at $1 million. The incident occurred just before 1 p.m. Friday. …

A tax refund from the state of Michigan could require more than just filing a return. The Treasury Department says it wants to protect taxpayers from identity theft. Some taxpayers will receive a letter asking them to confirm their identity through a short online quiz. Refunds will be released in 14 to 21 days if the identity is confirmed. Treasurer …

Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) will begin raising the water level upstream of the Elkhart Hydroelectric Generating Station on Monday, March 14. The reservoir was lowered two feet last December to preclude ice buildup at the County Road 17 Bridge during the winter. The reservoir will be raised slowly over a three- to four-day period. Residents who live along the St. Joseph …

The state says Michigan’s monthly unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest point in nearly 15 years. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget said Wednesday the seasonally adjusted jobless rate for January was 4.9 percent. That’s down two-tenths of a percentage point from December and 1.1 percentage points below the January 2015 rate. The state’s January unemployment rate …

Hi. I’m hanging out here at Animal Control. I kinda lost my way. They just call me “Stray”. I am a male, Shar Pei mix about one year old. I love treats and will sit perfectly if you offer me one.. I am very friendly, attentive, and did I tell you I love treats. Do you like shorthaired blond males? …

Officials from Three Rivers Community Schools will have plenty to discuss at their next meeting, as the district’s second failed millage request in 10 months went down Tuesday by a 3-to-2 margin. With all 24 precincts reporting, unofficial results show the 1.95-mill increase request was rejected, 2,240 to 1,501. The shortfall came despite a solid public-relations campaign to promote details …

Lockport Township will not adopt charter status, as its registered voters turned down the proposal Tuesday. Results weren’t available until past midnight, and by the time all ballots were counted, the measure fell by a margin of about two-thirds opposed to one-third in favor. Final votes were 696 people against the measure and 398 supporting the concept, according to unofficial …

St. Joseph County Friend of the Court Bill Thistlethwaite last week discussed a new program being funded and encouraged by the federal and state governments to address the low-income population. Thistlethwaite said a new service is being offered to the lower-income group through a pilot program. The program was put into place in 2015 to identify the people who fit …

The St. Joseph County Animal Shelter has received a $10,000 grant from a state funding source. The amount is the most given to 23 recipients in 2016 through the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Animal Industry Division. The agency annually distributes thousands of donated dollars to animal shelters in Michigan through Animal Welfare Fund grants. This year, the …