Last month’s massive 193-vehicle pileup on I-94 in Kalamazoo County is prompting an audit by the state. The Michigan Department of Transportation will study the 138-mile stretch of the highway from the Indiana state line to Jackson to see if any upgrades to I-94 are needed. The investigation was requested by state Senator Margaret O’Brien of Portage, whose district includes the crash …

Harold Clayton ( Tuffy) Abbs passed away Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis, Mich. He was born April 11, 1924, in Sturgis, the son of Theodore and Gertrude ( Adams) Abbs. He was one of 11 children — five brothers and five sisters. He married Isabelle King in 1951. She passed away on June 26, 1996. …

With nine snow days already in the books – three more than the state allows – Sturgis Public Schools will introduce a revised daily schedule that goes into effect next week. Every building in the district will add 20 minutes daily as a way of not extending the school year. Superintendent Tom Langdon said Michigan public schools are granted six …

A Kent County man was arrested after he was involved in a slide-off accident last week in Constantine Township. Sheriff’s department officials said the incident occurred around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, when a car reported stolen out of Grand Rapids slid off U.S. 131 near North River Road. The incident was reported by a passing motorist, who also provided the license …

An Indiana man was taken to the hospital after he was involved in a two-vehicle accident Thursday in Park Township. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, the 51-year-old man was attempting to cross U.S. 131 from Heimbach Road, when his pickup was struck by a southbound semi. The force of the collision tore the bed from the cab …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners approved a few personnel matters during last week’s meeting. Landon Hackenberg’s status as a corrections officer was changed from full time to part time, while corrections officer Travis Balk was moved from part-time to full-time employment. Balk will be paid an hourly rate of $18.60. Jay Parker was hired by the sheriff’s department …

State police say they have reconstructed last month’s massive pileup on I-94 in southwestern Michigan and are determining whether anybody will face criminal charges. The Kalamazoo Gazette reports that police officials plan to meet with Kalamazoo County prosecutors to assess any possible negligent driving that contributed to the Jan. 9 wreck. The chain-reaction crashes involved nearly 200 vehicles on both …

Florence Elvera Nilsson, age 97, of Lake Templene, passed away Thursday, February 5th, 2015 at Thurston Woods Village, Sturgis.   Florence was born in Bridgeport, CT on February 28, 1917, a daughter of Charles A. and Elin C. (Wallin) Berglund.  On May 27, 1939 Florence married John Erik Nilsson in Orange, NJ. He preceded her in death February 2, 1991.  …

Two people were arrested earlier this week following the execution of a search warrant in Three Rivers. Investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit arrested the pair after a traffic stop was made on U.S. 131. SCAN investigators received information about subjects involved in trafficking methamphetamine, and that they would be at the Michigan Department of Corrections office …

State Rep. Aaron Miller participated Thursday in a Capitol news conference to reveal priorities for the current legislative session to foster job growth and strengthen Michigan’s economy. House Republican lawmakers outlined their top priorities as the 2015-16 legislative session got under way. Miller said the plan focuses on continuing the process of balancing the state budget early and eliminating bureaucratic …