Government

A Mendon man has been appointed to a county committee. During Tuesday’s 12-minute meeting, St. Joseph County’s board of commissioners agreed to appoint Mendon resident Ivin Riddle to the Department of Health and Human Services Board. He was recommended to the post by Kelly Hostetler, St. Joseph County United Way’s executive director. Commissioners on Tuesday also adopted the county treasurer’s …

The Michigan Primary Care Association has awarded Sen. John Proos its “Champion for the Medically Underserved” award. The annual award recognizes state and local leaders for their work in promoting and protecting affordable, quality health care for Michigan’s medically underserved population. Proos said he is proud a bipartisan criminal-justice reform that enacted in 2017 that focuses on meaningful rehabilitation. As …

The Cass County sheriff’s department is continuing to investigate a traffic accident that occurred over the weekend. Authorities said Jared Green, 34, of Dowagiac, was a passenger in a vehicle that went off the road and struck a tree Saturday evening. Green was not wearing a seatbelt; a second passenger in the vehicle was uninjured. Investigators said the driver of …

Officials in Kalamazoo have decided to remove a park fountain featuring a European settler with a weapon in his hand towering over a Native American. The Kalamazoo Gazette reports the Kalamazoo City Commission voted 5 to 1 early Tuesday following a meeting that began Monday night on the future of the Fountain of the Pioneers in Bronson Park. A plan …

Warrants are being sought for a number of suspects following the discovery of a large-scale marijuana operation last week in Cass County’s Ontwa Township. Members of the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team served a search warrant on an address in the 71000 block of Stateline Road on the suspicion that the illegal sale and use of marijuana was taking place. …

A White Pigeon woman has been charged with possession of counterfeit money. Dayln Perry, 28, is being held on a $35,000 bond following an incident last month in Coldwater. A clerk at Marshall Street Shell called police after Perry allegedly tried to pay with a suspicious $20 bill. Perry left and the clerk held on to the bill. Officers eventually …

A prosecutor says the fatal shooting of a man being sought by a fugitive apprehension team in was justified. Calhoun County Prosecutor David Gilbert said in an opinion released Wednesday to the Battle Creek Enquirer that officers “violated no criminal law” in the Jan. 22 shooting death of 36-year-old Joshuah Prough. Gilbert says they “acted in lawful self-defense.” Prough was shot by …

Hundreds of thousands of Michigan drivers will not have to pay outstanding, extra fees assessed for certain traffic infractions and will avoid a license reinstatement charge under legislation signed Thursday by Gov. Rick Snyder. The new laws will also speed up the elimination of newly-assessed “responsibility” fees by a year. The fees were enacted by former Gov. Jennifer Granholm and legislators in …

Michigan drivers may soon have a grace period for displaying a license plate on their vehicles. State senators unanimously approved a House bill Wednesday requiring drivers to fasten and display a registration plate on their vehicles no later than 30 days after the registration or renewal date. The current Michigan Vehicle Code prohibits all driving on the highway without a …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department has issued a media release, reminding the public of flood-related information. Sheriff Brad Balk said to not drive on water-covered roads or around barricades. The suggestion is for public safety and to reduce the risk of road damage. Also, Balk said sandbags are still available at the sheriff’s office.