Government

With today the opening of the 2015-16 academic year for Michigan’s public schools, State Rep. Aaron Miller is encouraging parents to discuss bus-safety with their children and urging drivers to be aware of school-bus laws. Miller said parents should include a discussion about bus safety as part of the back-to-school routine with their children. Also, parents whose children walk to …

A motorcycle was reported stolen last week from a residence in Fabius Township. St. Joseph County Sheriff’s deputies said the lime green 2008 Kawasaki KLX 450 was taken from the 15000 block of Null Road in the early morning hours of Sept. 2. In addition, several vehicles were entered and items stolen. Investigators said residents are encouraged to lock their …

The Michigan Department of Transportation has announced that starting Tuesday, it will be repaving more than four miles of state routes in three locations within St. Joseph County. MDOT’s Nick Schirripa said the work will take place on US-12 from Wallowa Road to Klinger Lake Road in White Pigeon Township; M-60 from the east village limits of Mendon to M-66 …

St. Joseph County commissioners last week heard from two people regarding an excessive number of obstructions in area rivers posing hurdles for canoers and kayakers. Grant Wolf, representing the recently launched St. Joe H2O website, said video footage is planned to be shot this fall, and he would prefer to not have it feature images of blocked waterways. Meanwhile, John …

Authorities in southwestern Michigan say they’ve confirmed that at least three vehicles have been hit with gunfire since mid-August on two major highways. The Calhoun County sheriff’s office says the shootings occurred Aug. 19 and Wednesday on Interstate 94 and Thursday on Interstate 69. The last incident involved a semi-truck that was stopped north of Marshall. There were no injuries. …

The 71-year-old Constantine-area man who was found dead at his residence Tuesday has been identified as Lavern Chupp. Investigators were called shortly after 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to a residence in the 13000 block of Riverside Drive in Constantine Township after Chupp’s body was found by a family member. Results from an autopsy performed Wednesday morning have not yet been released.

State police are investigating the death of a Constantine man and have labeled the incident suspicious. County prosecutor John McDonough said investigators were called shortly after 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to a residence in Constantine Township regarding a 71-year-old man found dead. An autopsy was scheduled to be performed Wednesday morning. McDonough said no other details would be provided until the …

A body found Monday morning along Klinger Lake Road in Florence Township was determined to be a Hispanic man who died of a gunshot wound. St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough said an autopsy determined the cause of death, making the situation a homicide case. The victim was killed by a small-caliber gunshot wound to the head, according to McDonough. …

Supporters of a proposed 17-field sports development in the Three Rivers area are expected to find out later this month whether St. Joseph County officials will consider sooner than later helping fund the purchase of a 40-acre parcel to support the potential complex. Jared Hoffmaster, representing the steering committee assembled to plan and promote the youth sports complex, told commissioners …

The Centreville Village Council has been investigating repair options for its police station because of water damage, including a leaking roof, standing water, collapsing ceiling tiles and crumbling bricks on the exterior of the building. Village president Keith Shears said the village does not have the funds to construct a new facility. The council is considering repair of the roof …