Government

Authorities say a western Michigan toddler has been struck and killed by a truck driven by his grandfather. The Allegan County Sheriff’s Office says 17-month-old Brentyn Allen Combs-Easterday could not be revived after being struck Saturday night at his grandparents’ home outside Allegan. Officers say the boy was being supervised by his grandparents while his mother was at work. His …

Two local K-9 officers are more protected on the job thanks to a donation from the nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K- 9s. White Pigeon K- 9 Zar and Sturgis K-9 Tucky each received body armor, sponsored by Oliver and Rita Miller of Taylor. Vests are embroidered with the sentiment “Protect this K-9 from harm, in memory of Lori Miller.” …

Two people died early Friday when their car hit a tree which had fallen across a highway 2 miles north of East Leroy in Calhoun County. The incident happened on M-66, north of H Drive South shortly before 4am. The victims were identifed as the driver, 48-year-old Kathi Thomason, and the passenger in her car, Howard Bergman, age 60.  Both …

State Rep. Aaron Miller voted Wednesday in favor of a budget that provides additional funding for veterans courts. The House judiciary budget bill includes an additional $436,000 for specialty courts aimed at treating military veterans and active-duty personnel, bringing total funding to $936,000. Miller said the men and women who serve in the military make enormous sacrifices and often struggle …

Michigan senators have voted to more quickly phase in a tax break for people who trade in their car for a new one. A 2013 law lets buyers subtract some of the value of their trade-in from the purchase price of a new vehicle for tax purposes. The change is being phased in until 2039. The Republican-controlled Senate unanimously approved …

St. Joseph County commissioners are prepared to take the unprecedented step of offering funds toward the restoration of what is generally considered the worst road in the county. During Wednesday’s executive committee meeting, commissioners agreed to consider a $50,000 allocation toward improving a six-mile stretch of Constantine Road. Commission chairman Allen Balog said the county board has never provided general-fund …

State Rep. Aaron Miller this week approved recommendations for the Michigan State Police agency’s 2017-18 budget. The state House endorsed a bill approved by the Michigan State Police Budget Subcommittee, which is chaired by Miller. Included in the plan is the addition of 100 new state police troopers across the state. Miller said there is a need for increased public …

Two people received certificates of recognition Saturday from the St. Joseph County Sheriff ’s Department. Wayne Schwartz of Centreville and Jonathan Anzaldua of Bronson each received an award for their action July 20. Deputies took a report late that evening about a missing 61-year-old man with Alzheimer’s who had been last seen that morning at a home where he staying …

A Cass County teen was injured in a single-vehicle accident after she reportedly fell asleep at the wheel in Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 3 a.m. Sunday to M-40, near Shavehead Lake Road in response to a vehicle that had struck a tree. Deputies said 18-year-old Birdie Murphy, of Union, was traveling south on …

A Branch County residence was recently burglarized. State police said a house and outbuildings in the 500 block of Kosmerick Road in Bethel Township were broken into between Feb. 25 and March 24. A department media release indicated a number of items were stolen.