Government

Michigan’s Board of Education has selected Kalamazoo Public Schools Superintendent Michael Rice to be the next state superintendent. The board voted 5-3 for Rice on Tuesday after conducting final interviews with three candidates. Once a contract is signed, he will lead the state Department of Education, starting in July and making $216,000 a year. Board members say they liked Rice’s …

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is threatening to veto Senate-passed auto insurance legislation if it gets to her desk in its current form. The Democrat said Tuesday the bill headed toward the House “creates more problems than it solves.” The Senate earlier Tuesday approved a bill that would eliminate Michigan’s unique system requiring drivers to buy unlimited medical coverage for crash …

The St. Joseph Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting that occurred Monday in the 68000 block of Plumb School Road in Fawn River Township. Because the matter is an ongoing investigation, authorities are not releasing additional information.

Two major routes in Cass and Van Buren counties will be partially closed through the end of the month as Michigan Department of Transportation crews work on repaving. MDOT’s Nick Schirripa said the project started Monday and involves seven miles of M-40 and M-51, including M-40 from Marcellus Highway north to the Cass/Van Buren county line, and on M-51 from …

Here’s an update on the U.S. 131 project that started Monday in Three Rivers. Through the end of the week, northbound and southbound traffic will see single-lane closures and construction will begin on the existing median curb lane islands. These will be removed and replaced with temporary paving. Signal work will begin at M-60 and U.S. 131, while tree removal …

St. Joseph County Commission on Aging honored a number of volunteers with an appreciation dinner last week at Sturges-Young Auditorium and Civic Center. COA has about 200 volunteers who contribute time and talent to the organization. Donna Dick of Mendon received an award for her work as a volunteer balance instructor, while Sharon Salisbury of Three Rivers was awarded for her …

A Mendon man was seriously injured when his pickup crashed in a field on M-66 Wednesday evening in Colon Township. County sheriff’s deputies said 22-year-old Steven Wickey was driving the vehicle during farming operations when it overturned. Wickey was ejected, and sustained serious injuries. Investigating officers said speed and the lack of seat belt use were factors in the incident.

The Three Rivers City Commission welcomed a new member aboard Tuesday. The city’s Third District will now be served by Chris Abel, who fills a vacancy created after Norm Stutesman stepped down earlier this month after he moved out of the district. Abel was the only district resident to submit an application for the post. His term will expire in …

Four Kalamazoo residents were arrested after their involvement in two armed robberies Sunday, including an incident at the Marathon station in Mendon. The suspects are: Davontey Sander, 18, and D’Andre Beowa, Peter Yates and Jaquayvion Garrett, all 17 years of age. They are suspects in connection with an armed robbery at Marathon on West Main Street in Mendon. The incident …

A Centreville man died last week following an accident on the Indiana Toll Road in LaPorte County. Investigators with Indiana State Police said Mahlon Tucker, 77, died after the semi he was driving was involved in a two-vehicle accident at 2 a.m. Friday. The incident occurred west of South Bend in LaPorte County and involved Tucker’s semi and a car. …