Government

State Rep. Aaron Miller announced that a Three Rivers orchard has received a grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to expand and increase its production. Miller said Corey Lake Orchards in Three Rivers was awarded more than $48,000 through the “Value Added and Regional Food System” grant program. The money will be used to enable the …

Authorities in Kalamazoo County continue to investigate the possibility that two incidents of gunfire Wednesday night and Thursday morning are related. The first incident happened just after 10 Wednesday night. Around 19 shots were fired at a home in Kalamazoo. No one was injured. The other incident happened early Thursday morning in Osthemo Township. No one was hurt in that incident either. …

A Cassopolis man died Wednesday afternoon in a crash in Cass County’s Mason Township. The victim was identified as 72-year-old Wayne Owen. He was reportedly northbound on Cassopolis Road when his vehicle left the road and struck a tree. According to Owen’s family, he had a history of heart related illness. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident in Colon Township. Deputies were called at 5:25 p.m. April 2 to the 32000 block of Case Road. It is believed the incident occurred between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. A 12-gauge shotgun and a large amount of money were taken, according to deputies.

State Rep. Aaron Miller is inviting World War II veterans to join him in Lansing May 7 to take part in the 2015 Honor Drive, marking the 70-year anniversary of the victory of Allied troops over the European Axis. Miller said he will recognize World War II veterans from the 59th House District who join him for the celebration of …

The city of Sturgis has approved a new, three-year contract with its 13-member electrical workers union. The deal includes annual pay raises, but places new caps on the city’s long-term retirement legacy costs. City electrical linemen will get a $2.25-an-hour pay raise. All members will get a 1.5 percent boost this year and 2 percent more in each of the …

A Cassopolis man died Wednesday afternoon in a crash in Cass County’s Mason Township. The victim was identified as 72-year-old Wayne Owen. He was reportedly northbound on Cassopolis Road when his vehicle left the road and struck a tree. According to Owen’s family, he had a history of heart related illness. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Several vehicles and a house were destroyed by a grass fire that spread out of control Sunday. Constantine firefighters were called at 1 p.m. to the 62000 block of Youngs Prairie Road in Constantine Township for a grass fire. First-arriving personnel found the fire had spread across the property. In all, about 12 vehicles were burned in addition to the …

A Coldwater family escaped serious injury late Sunday afternoon after its SUV was struck at the intersection of U.S. 12 and Big Hill Road. Michigan State Police troopers said a vehicle driven by a 25-year-old Sturgis woman was southbound on Big Hill Road when she failed to yield and struck the SUV, which was eastbound on U.S.12. The force of …

Further details regarding a car/semi accident in the Three Rivers area this week are expected to be released any day by the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department. The incident occurred at 5:17 a.m. Tuesday at U.S. 131 and Broadway Street in Lockport Township. In a preliminary report, deputies said a car driven eastbound on Broadway failed to stop at a …