Government

State Rep. Aaron Miller was joined Tuesday on the House floor by Cass County Prosecuting Attorney Victor Fitz for Gov. Rick Snyder’s State of the State address in Lansing. The governor outlined his plans for his second term during the speech. Lawmakers are allowed one floor guest during the annual speech. Fitz is also president of the Michigan Prosecuting Attorneys …

A few personnel matters were approved during last week’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting. Erin Goff was hired as community corrections coordinator at more than $18 an hour, while Travis Balk was hired as a part-time corrections officer at a rate of more than $16 an hour. Also, a pay increase of 29 cents per hour was approved …

The city of Sturgis has delayed the opening of its downtown ice skating rink because of damage and vandalism. The rink liner was damaged when someone entered the fenced-in area before it was ready for use. Vandalism included panels that were pulled up. City officials are seeking tips from the public as they work to open the rink. (AP)

A 22-year-old man has apologized before being sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison for his involvement in the 2013 fatal shooting of a University of Michigan medical student. Shaquille Jones told a court in Ann Arbor on Wednesday that “I wish I could take it back.” Jones in January pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Twenty-five-year-old Paul DeWolf was …

State Rep. Aaron Miller has announced contact information for residents of the 59th House District who wish to reach him. Miller will continue to use former Rep. Matt Lori’s office phone number at 517-373-0832. Residents may also contact him at Box 30014, Lansing 48909, or by e-mail at AaronMiller@house.mi.gov. Miller said he wants to make it simple for people to …

Sturgis Public Schools’ Board of Education has detailed the successful sale of its 2015 refunding bonds, Series A, in the amount of about $25.3 million and 2015 refunding bonds, Series B, for about $10.6 million. The Series A bonds are being issued for the purpose of refunding that portion of the school district’s outstanding 2005 refunding bonds. Series A bonds …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this week approved funding allocations for improvements at a pair of county-operated parks. Commissioners during Tuesday’s meeting agreed to grant parks and recreation director Jaymes MacDonald financial support to purchase and install two handicap-accessible docks at Cade Lake Campground. In a separate matter, funding was made available for adding personnel to collect daily …

A 60-year-old man accidentally shot himself in the leg Tuesday in Constantine Township. St. Joseph County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 10000 block of New England Road shortly before 5 a.m. to find the man in stable condition He was transferred by LifeCare Ambulance to Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo for further treatment. Additional details were not available, as the …

Three Rivers Firefighters responded to a blaze Wednesday morning on East Michigan Avenue. The incident occurred shortly after 9 a.m. at a residence in the 400 block of the city street. Additional details about the extent of damage and whether anyone was hurt were not available by Wednesday afternoon.

St. Joseph County has continued its snow-removal agreement with Adams Excavating. During action Tuesday, commissioners approved the independent-contractor agreement with Scott Adams for the job. Adams will respond when snow accumulation reaches two inches or more. His work will cover the courthouse and courts building lots, an annex lot, the parks building and animal control lots, and the sheriff’s department …