Government

A judge has refused to suspend her order that allows Michigan voters to take photos of their completed ballot in the Nov. 8 election. Citing the First Amendment, Grand Rapids federal Judge Janet Neff blocked Michigan’s ban on taking so-called ballot selfies. The secretary of state is appealing. The judge said Wednesday that she won’t freeze her decision while the …

A trio of Three Rivers men was charged with various offenses following an incident at Riverside Townhouses Tuesday. According to the Three Rivers Police Department, officers were called around 1 a.m. to 1200 Hov Aire Drive in response to someone jumping on a car and smashing its windshield. Three suspects fled the scene when officers arrived. One was arrested along …

Fire investigators from Michigan State Police are looking into a blaze that occurred Thursday morning at a home in the 20000 block of South River Road in Lockport Township. Officials believe the cause of the fire is suspicious. Heavy smoke was coming from the home when Centreville firefighters arrived at the scene around 11 a.m. The homeowners were not present …

An EPA Superfund site in Sturgis is being re-evaluated for a new concern called vapor intrusion. The Sturgis Municipal Wells Superfund Site was placed in the Superfund Program in 1984 for chemical contamination from the Kirsch Company impacting local drinking water wells. Vapor intrusion occurs when contaminated vapor gets into the indoor air of a building. The current owner of …

A Sturgis man died Tuesday as a result of injuries he suffered in a two-vehicle crash in Sturgis Township. State police said Robert Riddle, 82, attempted to make a left-hand turn from southbound White School Road onto eastbound Fawn River Road shortly before 3 p.m. Investigators said Riddle, who was driving a Ford F-150, turned into the path of a …

The Kalamazoo City Commission has taken a step toward using roughly $70 million in private donations to help cover city costs. The commission voted 6-1 to approve the memorandum of understanding during a public meeting Monday. The document outlines the agreement between donors and the city as well as each party’s commitment to the Foundation for Excellence. The foundation, introduced …

The identity of a 4-year-old victim of a dog attack Sunday in Sherman Township has been confirmed. Kiyana McNeal was killed by the family pet, a recently acquired Doberman. The dog apparently lunged at the girl’s neck as she was offering it a treat. McNeal’s mother attempted to pull the 4-year-old dog off the girl and was bitten by the …

The personal federal tax return for Gov. Rick Snyder and his wife, Sue, shows they had just over $400,000 in income in 2015 and made charitable contributions of about $95,000. The Detroit Free Press reports the Republican governor itemized about $370,000 in deductions, leaving a taxable income of just under $25,000. The former venture capitalist and computer company executive paid …

A judge has blocked Michigan law and policies that would prevent voters from taking photos of their ballot in the Nov. 8 election.  Joel Crookston of Portage sued in Grand Rapids federal court, saying his First Amendment right to free speech was violated. Judge Janet Neff issued a preliminary injunction Monday. State election officials had argued that the rules are …

Authorities say a dog attacked and killed a 4 1/2-year-old girl and injured the child’s mother at a home on West Fish Lake Road. The St. Joseph County sheriff’s department says the family had recently gotten the Doberman or Doberman mix before Sunday afternoon’s attack in Sherman Township. The girl’s mother tried to protect her and was hospitalized with injuries …