Police say 15 train cars have derailed in downtown Kalamazoo. No injuries have been reported. The city’s Department of Public Safety says the train was carrying freight, not passengers, and some cars were empty. There’s no evidence of hazardous materials being released. The derailment was reported around 6:50 a.m. Tuesday.  (AP)

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t appreciate ‘FREE stuff. It’s difficult to find anything these days that doesn’t come with a price. This year’s Water Festival had quite a few activities that didn’t cost one cent. It hasn’t been a month and yet here’s another event that is absolutely FREE. Core Community member Kirstin Vander Giessen-Reitsma would like everyone to …

A new Michigan law eliminates a requirement that teachers take the SAT, the standardized test commonly used in college admissions. The test was required for people who wanted to become certified to teach in Michigan. But critics say it’s not a good indicator of a successful teacher. Sen. Marty Knollenberg, a Republican from Troy, says the SAT doesn’t measure enthusiasm, …

Michigan officials say they’re seeing higher numbers of bats with rabies. The Department of Health and Human Services says its labs had diagnosed 22 bats with the fatal illness as of June 28. A year ago, the total was nine. Two rabid skunks also have turned up. Rabies is a viral disease transmitted through the bite or scratch of an …

JoAnn (Frays) Groth, age 75, of Centreville, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 1, 2018 at the Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Centreville near her family and a very loving and caring Fairview staff. JoAnn was born in the Centreville area and lived there her entire life. She held several jobs, including at Transagram,  The Sturgis …

Albert E. “Al” Jensen, age 86, of Vicksburg, died Saturday, June 30, 2018 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. He was born in Chicago, on Oct. 18, 1931 the son of Albert and Edna (Werthe) Jenson. The family moved to the Vicksburg area when Al entered the 5th grade, and he graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1949. He worked …

Mary Nell Prpich, age 89, of Sturgis, passed away early Saturday morning, June 23, 2018, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. She was born March 25, 1929, in Jonesboro, La., a daughter of the late Dorris and Odessa (Hall) McMahen. Mary resided in Sturgis since 1981, coming from White Pigeon. She also lived in Paw Paw, where she and her …

Genevieve Catherine Cadman, age 95, of Burr Oak, passed away Sunday afternoon, July 1, 2018, at her home. She was born Nov. 24, 1922, in Allegan, a daughter of the late Peter and Julia (Francisco) Blaskie. Mrs. Cadman resided in Burr Oak since 1966. Her early life was lived in Bronson. She married William L. Cadman in Hot Springs, Ark. …

Charlene M. Boes, age 89, of Sturgis, passed away early Saturday evening, June 30, 2018, at her home. She was born Jan. 21, 1929 in Sturgis, a daughter of the late Ross and Anna (Miller) Wisler. Charlene was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1947. On Nov. 27, 1948, she married …

With the Fourth of July just a handful of days away, several local communities will once again be hosting fireworks. Sen. John Proos is once again encouraging everyone to have a safe and fun Independence Day. “Each Independence Day, we gather with friends and family to celebrate our freedom, our country and a declaration that changed the world more than two …