Government

Authorities say they’re investigating the death of a woman whose body was found alongside a rural southwestern Michigan road as suspicious. The Kalamazoo County sheriff’s department says in a statement that the body of 32-year-old Gabrielle Irene Smith of Plainwell was found Tuesday afternoon in Texas Township. The cause and circumstances of her death are under investigation Thursday. Smith’s body …

A 50-year-old driver of a pickup truck that struck a group of bicyclists killing five of them was charged Thursday with five counts of second degree murder. Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeffrey Getting also charged Charles Pickett Jr. of Battle Creek on Thursday with four counts of reckless driving in the crash Tuesday that injured four others in Cooper Township north …

The chair of the St. Joseph County Conservation District is encouraging people to learn more about the hemp plant and its diversity of uses. Carol Higgins said a great opportunity exists later this week, when the Rivieria Theatre in Three Rivers will show “Grow Our Future,” a short-feature film. Higgins said the 52-minute movie focuses on the numerous ways industrial …

A matter regarding streets and sidewalks in Three Rivers will appear before the city’s voters in November. Mayor Tom Lowry and city commission members Tuesday agreed to seek renewal of 3.7 mills. The millage has allowed the city to maintain and improve city streets and sidewalks since it was first approved 15 years ago. If approved, the November request would …

They called themselves “The Chain Gang” — a group of bicyclists drawn together by zest for their sport, physical fitness and love of the outdoors whose day trip in the southwestern Michigan countryside ended tragically as a pickup truck plowed into them, killing five and injuring four others. Stunned biking enthusiasts joined relatives and friends of the riders Wednesday in …

Some minor but important changes to the county’s fund-balance designations were made by commissioners Tuesday. Finance director Joni Smith said one of the two moves provides assurance that the county won’t have to borrow money when treasurer Judie Ratering conducts the annual delinquent-tax process. The delinquent-tax process needs $6 million every year to cash flow itself, Smith said, so keeping …

Organizers of the Three Rivers Water Festival said an opportunity to save money on armbands for rides at next week’s event is available for another week. Rides and games require tickets purchased at the midway site in the West City parking lot at a cost of $18 per person. Advanced sales for the armband tickets are available for $15 until …

State Rep. Aaron Miller said this coming Saturday and Sunday is Free Fishing Weekend in Michigan, and he urges people to join by casting a line in a local lake, pond or river. Miller said the Michigan Department of Natural Resources waives all fishing-license fees during Free Fishing Weekend so residents and out-of-staters alike can experience the joy of fishing …

The 2015 annual audit and a county millage-rate request are among the items of new business to be fielded this afternoon by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Other matters before the commission include a request for a new position for community corrections, a request to establish an online survey and fund-balance designations. The meeting starts at 5 p.m. …

State Rep. Aaron Miller has called on the Legislature to put the brakes on repealing an $80 million car-insurance-industry tax credit until reform takes place to lower insurance rates. Miller last week voted against House Bills 5457 and 5458, which repeal an inadvertent tax credit given to insurance companies in legislation signed into law in 2012. Miller said he wants …