Government

Three people were reappointed this week to St. Joseph County’s Agricultural Preservation Board. County commissioners on Tuesday renewed the three-year terms of Mendon Township resident Larry Rice and Sturgis-area resident John Fair. Commissioner representative Dan Czajkowski of White Pigeon was also reappointed, though his term is for a one-year period. In a separate move, commissioners agreed to name Angie Price, …

Authorities say four cattle died when the trailer hauling them crashed in icy and snowy conditions in southwestern Michigan. Michigan State Police officials say the semi-trailer was hauling more than 30 cattle early Wednesday when it flipped on Interstate 94 in Van Buren County’s Lawrence Township. Two people in the vehicle weren’t injured. The crash scene took several hours to …

Three matters of new business, including an agreement to help fund a portion of the U.S. 131 Trail, will appear before the Three Rivers City Commission this evening. Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners will discuss whether to support an agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation regarding the city’s share of money for a trail to run along the east …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will propose a 45-cent increase in Michigan’s gasoline and diesel taxes to fix the roads, phased in later this year and in 2020. A spokeswoman for the Democrat confirmed her plan Monday, a day before she presents it to the Republican-led Legislature. Tiffany Brown says Whitmer also will propose “protections to help offset the cost to people’s …

Authorities have relocated four Canadian wolves to Isle Royale National Park in Michigan in an ongoing effort to restore the predator species on the Lake Superior island chain. The park announced Monday that a female and a male were captured from the same pack last week near Wawa, Ontario. Two other males were taken from Michipicoten Island Provincial Park in …

State Rep. Aaron Miller last week honored two local men by formally recognizing them on the House floor. Michigan State Police Detective-Sgt. Aaron Steensma and Trooper Daniel Thayer were formally presented with a special tribute highlighting their heroism and service in the line of duty. On Jan. 24, 2018, state police personnel were executing a search warrant at a Cass …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants to spend billions more to fix the roads and boost a lagging education system. But as the Democrat prepares to deliver her first budget proposal to the Republican-led Legislature, she faces fiscal pressures that are complicating her task. She notes that the general fund — Michigan’s second-biggest account — has not grown much from 20 years …

No-reason mail-in voting has launched in Michigan, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced today, explaining it will make voting easier for people across the state. “If you want to fill out your ballot at home, you should be able to do so. And if you want to avoid the stress of finding time to get to the polls on Election …

Michigan State Police say three people were killed when their car collided with an Amtrak train near Kalamazoo. Oshtemo Township Fire Chief Mark Barnes says no one on the train was injured, but everyone in the car died in the collision about 10 p.m. Sunday west of Kalamazoo. Police identified the crash victims Monday as 20-year-old Jarmaine Brown, 19-year-old Marcionna …

Members of the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging Advisory Board discussed a Thurston Woods lease agreement at Sturgis Enrichment Center. COA executive director Tim Stoll said Thurston Woods has been leasing space at Sturgis Enrichment Center to run Thurston Cares Adult Day Program, though the $2,500-per-month rate has raised some eyebrows, Stoll said. Board member Al Balog asked if …