Government

State police are investigating the theft of a vehicle that took place earlier this week in Branch County. Troopers were called at 5 a.m. Monday to White Supply Company in Coldwater after a commercial truck was reported stolen. The 2006 International truck featured “White Supply” and the company’s logo printed on the doors. Authorities suspect two males were involved in …

One of the 12 people injured in a weekend fire at a northern Michigan ski resort is in critical condition. Spectrum Health Butterworth spokeswoman Beth Cranson confirmed David Chauvette’s condition Monday but declined to discuss his specific health problems. A Facebook page created for Chauvette says the Traverse City man suffered smoke inhalation. The fire occurred around 1:30 a.m. Sunday …

Prosecutors have filed murder and armed robbery charges against a Western Michigan University basketball player in the killing of a fellow student last week. Joeviair Kennedy was due to be arraigned Monday in a Kalamazoo County court in Thursday’s fatal shooting of 19-year-old Jacob Jones in an off-campus apartment. Prosecutors don’t know if the 20-year-old Muskegon man has an attorney …

The Three Rivers City Commission has a vacancy to fill in its Third District. The opening comes as a result of Commissioner Diane Clay announcing last week her resignation due to her impending move out-of-district. A six-year board member, Clay will stay on board until after completing next week’s city commission meeting, the commission’s final meeting of the year. The …

State Rep. Aaron Miller last week attended three township meetings – in Sturgis, Burr Oak and Wayne townships – fulfilling a promise made two years ago to attend each of the 59th District’s monthly municipal meetings twice, hearing first-hand ideas and how the Legislature can help communities. Miller said he enjoyed meeting with local officeholders and listening to the concerns …

Colon High School students were witness to a “Courts In the Schools” program last week. Staged by St. Joseph County District Court Judge Rob Pattison, Friday’s session followed previous in-school court sessions in Three Rivers and Sturgis. The two cases heard Friday centered on sentencings of suspects related to drugs and alcohol. Pattison said he is an advocate of the …

Six people were arrested in Sturgis last week after resisting arrest. The incident began when an officer attempted to stop a vehicle shortly before 2 a.m. Friday in the 400 block of West West Street for a traffic violation. Officers said the vehicle pulled into a private drive, and a male and female in the vehicle fled into a residence. …

A public hearing on St. Joseph County’s proposed 2017 fiscal-year budget generated scrutiny toward the county’s board of commissioners Tuesday. The focus of the scorn centered on the proposed $18.1 million general-fund budget and the $2.8 million the board earlier this year agreed to provide toward expenses related to a 17-field sports complex in the Three Rivers area. The proposed …

St. Joseph County commissioners this week approved the reappointment of Matt Scheske as a member of the county’s Investment Advisory Board. His three-year term will expire at the end of 2019. Scheske is vice president of commercial lending at Sturgis Bank & Trust. Also, commissioners agreed to reappoint four people to the county’s Planning Commission. They are: Warren Atkins of …

Two people were hospitalized following a two-car accident this week in Cass County’s Volina Township. Sheriff Joe Underwood Jr. said deputies were dispatched shortly after 1:30 p.m. Wednesday to Decatur Road and Marcellus Highway. A vehicle driven by Janekk Spears, 18, of Lawton, was southbound on Decatur Road when Spears failed to yield at a stop sign. Her vehicle collided …