Government

Caretakers from Binder Park Zoo and Black Pine Animal Sanctuary worked several hours Friday to remove exotic animals from a Mottville Township residence. Meanwhile, Jessica Achberger, 40, and Troy Leiby, 40, were arrested Thursday on animal cruelty charges, and keeping exotic animals without a license. They were released from jail Friday after posting 10 percent of a $5,000 cash/surety bond. …

St. Joseph County Commissioner Robin Baker of said last week he will not seek re-election to an eighth term this fall. Baker, 64, indicated his intention after he turned down the vice chairman position for Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency during its monthly meeting Thursday. Baker spent more than 25 years with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department before retiring …

The December unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by four-tenth of a percent compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 3.1 percent December unemployment rate was less than November’s 3.5 percent. December’s unemployment rate was 1.1 percent less than the same month one year …

A Marcellus woman was airlifted to Bronson Methodist Hospital after she was involved in a two-vehicle accident last week in Park Township. State police said Sheri Bethard, 53, was westbound on Heimbach Road attempting to cross the northbound lane of U.S. 131 shortly after 3:30 p.m. Friday, when her vehicle was struck by a car driven by Nancy Visel, 62, …

The Michigan State Police Marshall Post, White Pigeon Detachment investigated a two vehicle injury crash Friday afternoon. One vehicle a 2004 Saturn driven by Nancy Visel, 62, of Schoolcraft, was northbound on US-131 when it struck a 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, driven by Sheri Bethard, 53, of Marcellus, as it crossed US-131 from Heimbach Road. Visel was transported to Bronson …

Sturgis city commissioners have called for the repeal of a new state law that prohibits using public funds to communicate any information to voters in the 60 days prior to any local election. City leaders said state law already prohibited use of public money to advocate for support or rejection of a ballot proposal, millage issue or candidate election. But …

Authorities have issued citations to 20 drivers following a series of crashes along snowy I-94 in southwestern Michigan earlier this month that left two people dead. State police First Lt. Dale Hinz tells the Kalamazoo Gazette that citations were mailed this week to the drivers of four commercial vehicles and 16 passenger vehicles. The Van Buren County prosecutor’s office also …

State police were called this week to investigate the theft of diesel fuel in Colon Township. According to an agency media release, troopers responded at 9 a.m. Wednesday to the 6500 block of Middle Colon Road, where an unknown quantity of fuel was siphoned from a large holding tank. The suspect’s vehicle is a white, midsize pickup with lettering near …

Two area high school students have been nominated by U.S. Rep. Fred Upton to United States Service Academies. In all, Upton made 16 service academy nominations for the 2015-2016 academic year. The group of young men and women has excelled academically and athletically in their respective schools and have gone through an extensive selection process, Upton stated in a media …

Seven county residents graduated this week from the Swift and Sure Sanctions Probation Program, while other participants were promoted to the next phase of the program. Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman, who oversaw the ceremony, called Tuesday’s event a big day for the Swift and Sure program and for the graduates. As each graduate stepped up to receive their achievement …