A Union City man is one of four people who died in a hot-air balloon crash over the weekend in Arizona. Chayton Wiescholek, 28, was in the basket of the balloon with four other people when it crashed. One of the five, a 23-year-old Arizona woman – survived but is in critical condition, authorities said. An additional eight people – …

A Niles man was injured in a snowmobile crash earlier this week in Cass County’s Pokagon Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were dispatched at 7:45 p.m. Monday to the intersection of Indian Lake and Frost streets. Authorities said the 26-year-old driver, Chandler Plow, told officers he lost control of the snowmobile he was operating. It overturned and landed on …

White Pigeon municipal officials have lifted the boil-water advisory that had been in effect since the weekend. As a precautionary measure, village officials had issued the advisory Sunday after the community’s system lost water pressure due to frozen pipes. As a result, contamination could have potentially occurred. Water pressure was restored later Monday and samples were tested. They came back …

Michigan State Police tracking dogs will be easier to see thanks to the benevolence of a Kalamazoo businessman. Michael ‘Tonto’ Alexander, owner and president of Nite Beam Products, gave $1,800 for beacon lights for each dog at a Jan. 4 monthly training at the Mattawan Fire Department. With the LED lights attached to the dog’s harnesses, K9 teams will now …

Colon Village Council is looking for a member of the general public to join a committee formed to look into creating an ordinance regulating a marijuana facility in town. Council member Dillon Baker said the point of this committee is to draft documents to define everything to do with a such a facility. He said the village currently does not …

More than two dozen people assembled last week to witness the re-opening of the Langley Covered Bridge. A ceremonial ribbon cutting and speeches highlighted Friday’s event. Within minutes after participants cleared the area, St. Joseph County Commissioner Dennis Allen was the first to drive over the fully rehabilitated bridge. The $3.2 million project was overseen by Grand Haven-based Anlaan Corporation. …

Two people were treated for minor injuries following a two-vehicle crash last week in Schoolcraft Township. Michigan State Police investigators said the incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of U.S. 131 and U Avenue. Authorities said a semi tractor-trailer was heading south on U.S. 131 and rear-ended a Dodge Ram that was stopped at the traffic signal. …

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners are poised to make two re-appointments and one board appointment when its members meet Tuesday. During last week’s executive committee meeting, commissioners discussed the re-appointments of Robert Horton and Gerald Loudenslager to the county’s Board of Public Works. Meanwhile, commissioners also discussed the appointment of Kathleen Carr to the county’s Building Authority Board.

A proposed temporary residence for former military members is gaining momentum, as St. Joseph County officials discussed the concept in detail earlier this week. During their executive committee meeting Tuesday, county commission members heard a report from Veteran’s Affairs Director Stoney Summey. The proposal, which centers on the purchase of a residence at 308 S. Main St. in Three Rivers, …

Van Buren/Cass District Health Department is offering free radon-testing services throughout January. Agency officials said they are committed to raising awareness about the dangers of radon gas during Radon Action Month. Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless radioactive gas that can pose health risks when present in elevated levels. Radon Action Month provides an excellent opportunity for residents to …