Government

Nominations and appointments to different boards were made Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. The Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Board received three new members: John Dobberteen, Don Eaton and Janet Bermingham. Meanwhile, Sturgis resident Tim Carmichael was reappointed. Additionally, the county’s Transportation Authority Board appointees were Allen Balog, Charles Thompson, Bruce Zakrzewski, Connie Stoppenbach, Kelli Tackett, Marvin Schneider and …

Constantine Village Manager Mark Honeysett said the municipality is not in compliance with a state law covering expenditures for non-motorized improvements. Non-motorized transportation is a critical element in the transportation system and increases mobility choices, relieves traffic congestion, reduces air pollution and fuel consumption and promotes physical activity and healthy lifestyles, he said. The state defines non-motorized primarily as pedestrians, …

A Vandalia man suffered minor injuries after his vehicle struck a deer then went off the roadway in Cass County. Sheriff Richard Behnke said 21-year-old Devin Todd was driving east on Calvin Hill Road near Kensington Road shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday. Todd’s vehicle struck a deer then several trees after leaving the road. Todd, who was the only occupant …

Three Rivers Police last week were involved in the apprehension of an Indiana man on drug- and alcohol-related charges. Officers fielded a call around 7:30 p.m. Thursday regarding a potentially intoxicated motorist driving south on U.S. 131 near Hoffman Road. A deputy with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department spotted the vehicle in the Admiral gas station parking lot. Upon …

Cass County Sheriff’s Department deputies arrested a woman for driving while intoxicated over the weekend at a campground in Newburg Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly before 7 p.m. Saturday to a campground in the 12000 block of Prang Street regarding a single-vehicle crash. Deputies were advised that the driver got into an argument with witnesses, and …

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 …