State Rep. Aaron Miller, chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid, voted last week in support of the Legislature’s schools budget, a bill he sponsored to provide a total of $15.2 billion for K-12 schools. Under the bipartisan plan, per-pupil funding would increase for every student in Michigan by $120 to $240 – a total increase of more …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident and larceny from a building that occurred earlier this month in Fabius Township. Troopers said the incident occurred between 3 p.m. and midnight Sept.11 at Corey Lake Marina. Investigators said more than $400 in cash, several cases of beer, tobacco products, food, a deer mount, and power tools were stolen from …

A Cassopolis man was injured after the vehicle he was driving struck a car that had turned left in front of him last week in Cass County. Sheriff Richard Behnke said the incident occurred at the intersection of Brownsville Street and Highfield Road in Jefferson Township. Collin Dudek, 24, of Lawton, told authorities the sun was in his eyes and …

It won’t be long before it will be time to put away the lawn mower and getting the snow blower out and ready for whatever Mother Nature throws our way. Before you put those summer tools away, make sure to clean them up and put a light coat of oil on places that need protection from the elements. If you …

The final of the three Adopt-A-Highway programs in 2019 will take place over the next week starting Saturday. Sponsored by the Michigan Department of Transportation, Adopt-A-Highway draws volunteers to roadsides in an effort to remove litter. Volunteers collect 65,000 to 70,000 bags of trash annually. The program involves nearly 2,800 groups cleaning 6,100 miles of roadside. Motorists are advised to …

Douglas Jon Arney, age 55, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday morning, Sept.17, 2019, at Fairview Living Centre in Centreville. He was born Feb. 2, 1964, in Sturgis, a son of Daniel and Norma Jean (Harriman) Arney. Doug was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1982. On July 2, 1988, he married …

I am Lady.  I am on the small side of a Aussie-heeler mix.  My coat is black and brown, and I am three years old, housetrained and I love people.  I want to be “top dog” so would do best in a home without other dogs or small children.  I am at the St. Joseph County Animal Control Shelter located …

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported Tuesday an increase in cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Southwest Michigan. EEE is a rare virus transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. As of Wednesday, there have been no confirmed human cases of EEE in St. Joseph, Branch, or Hillsdale counties. There have, however, been three confirmed …

A Three Rivers-area resident has been added to the St. Joseph County Board of Public Works. County commissioners on Tuesday approved the appointment of Robert Horton. He will complete a vacancy with a term ending at the end of the year 2020. There are currently three vacancies on the board and county officials are appealing to the public in hopes …

A Park Township resident has announced his candidacy for the State House of Representatives in next year’s election. Republican Jack Coleman made the announcement recently, stating he will be on the August 2020 primary ballot. District 59 encompasses St. Joseph and most of Cass County. Incumbent Aaron Miller is term limited and will not be able to seek re-election. Coleman, …