Government

Police say they have increased their presence at Kalamazoo College following five armed robberies on campus. Assistant Chief Don Webster of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety says five students were robbed at gunpoint on Jan. 19 within the same block. He says the suspect stole money and cellphones. None of the victims were injured. A university spokesman says the …

Fire heavily damaged a garage and caused minor damage to a home early Saturday in Constantine Township. Firefighters were called to the 64000 block of Youngs Prairie Road about 12:30 a.m. They arrived to find flames coming from the garage. Firefighters quickly brought the fire under control and began protecting the home, located about 10 feet away. No injuries were …

A police dog from the Three Rivers Police Department played a major role in the arrest of two burglary suspects last week. Three Rivers Police responded early Friday morning to an active burglary alarm at Triple Creek Convenience Store on South Main Street. Officers arrived and found a broken window. As the investigation continued, Three Rivers K-9 Hondo was brought …

Authorities say an attack by coyotes has killed a horse from the Lapeer County sheriff’s department mounted division. The Flint Journal reports the attack took place around 3 p.m. Sunday at a farm along the line between Lapeer and Oakland counties. Lt. Bruce Osmon, head of the mounted unit, says the horse was feeding around 20 feet from a barn …

The Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority/Main Street program plans to launch its inaugural “100 Friends of Downtown Three Rivers” campaign in February. The campaign is designed to hit on three of the four goals of the DDA/Main Street program: Building Relationships, Communication, and Education and Awareness, according to Brian Persky, Three Rivers DDA/Main Street executive director. All new members of …

Pat Yoder, who holds St. Joseph County’s highest, non-elected position, was given a $10,000 raise last week. Two weeks after commissioners agreed to renew Yoder’s contract for 2015, his salary for the 12-month period was set at $115,000. He is also given a vehicle allowance of $6,000 annually. The matter was addressed during last week’s county commission meeting. Yoder, who …

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 …