Government

Three Kalamazoo County residents were injured after their pickup was involved in a one-vehicle crash last weekend in Branch County’s Girard Township. Sheriff’s deputies were called at 7:30 a.m. Sunday to southbound I-69, near Dayburg Road. Investigators said 70-year-old Kalamazoo resident Dennis Bates told authorities he fell asleep while driving. His vehicle crossed the median and entered the northbound lanes …

A Coldwater man faces charges related to child pornography following a five-month investigation. Branch County District Court officials said Kenneth Traver, 44, is charged with four counts of aggravated possession of child sexually abusive material; two counts of using a computer to commit a crime; and one count of aggravated child sexually abusive activity. Michigan State Police troopers were made …

A preliminary hearing in the case of a woman accused of murdering her 2-year-old child was waived earlier this month. According to St. Joseph County District Court, 21-year-old Paige Bohne waived the preliminary hearing in the case, which was scheduled to occur Tuesday. The waiver was signed by all parties Nov. 14. Waiving the preliminary hearing means the case now …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week approved its budget for 2025. Finance Director Angie Steinman presented a budget of $51.8 million. The General Fund budget totals $22.6 million and requires a tax levy of 4.5162 mills – the maximum allowable under the application of the Headlee Rollback. Steinman said revenues projected for the 2025 are the result …

The St. Joseph County United Way is hoping to deliver gifts to 150 homes in St. Joseph County in advance of Christmas. The Centreville-based agency is accepting toy donations to help meet the challenge. Donations of toys and cash will be delivered to low-income families, and families with children who may not have any other Christmas presents to open Dec. …

Centreville Public Schools has prepared to fill a soon-to-be vacated Career and Technical Education position. During their board meeting Monday, members of the district’s board of education agreed to hire Jennifer Newman to replace Chad Spence as CTE Public Safety instructor. Spence created the program and has served as its instructor since its debut at Centreville High School in the …

Glen Oaks Community College officials made a revision related to eligibility for a pair of scholarships. During their monthly meeting last week, Glen Oaks Board of Trustees OK’d a plan to reach beyond St. Joseph County for potential recipients of the President’s Scholarship and the Dean’s Scholarship. Denise DeVries, Glen Oaks director of communications, said the revision to Policy 3.15 …

Great Start Collaborative and St. Joseph County Intermediate School District Career and Technical Education program have partnered to build Little Free Library stands. Little Free Library stations are typically found in easily accessible locations and are stocked with an assortment of general-interest books. Residents willing to allow a stand in their yard are encouraged to apply. Organizers said 10 Little …

Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy is issuing an appeal in support of its annual end-of-year membership drive. The agency has protected more than 720 acres of important natural areas in the past 12 months, including 457-acre LaGrange Valley Wetlands in Cass County and the 135-acre Good Fire Woods in Paw Paw River’s East Branch. Also, 134 acres and more than one …

Students at Mendon and Centreville high schools last week experienced realistic scenarios that reinforce risks associated with distracted driving and driving while impaired. A pair of simulators that included virtual-reality headsets were set up at each school’s gymnasium by International Save a Life Tour, through Grand Rapids-based Education Systems Support Inc. In Mendon on Wednesday and Centreville the following day, …