Government

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 …

Police say a northern Indiana pilot died after his small plane hit power lines and crashed in a farm field in northern Indiana. Elkhart County Sheriff Jeff Siegel says 55-year-old Neal Myers of Middlebury died in the crash Thursday night about 2 miles east of Goshen Municipal Airport. FAA spokesman Tony Molinaro told The Goshen News that Myers was practicing …

Michigan State Police and utilities are warning people high winds could cause power outages on Sunday. The National Weather Service says a high wind watch is in effect from Saturday night through Sunday night in southern and eastern Michigan including the Thumb region. It says sustained west winds of 30-40 mph with gusts as high as 60 mph are possible. …

Three Rivers city officials plan to take up to two special meetings to discuss and set the municipality’s 2019-20 fiscal year budget. Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners this week agreed to hold the meetings at 6 p.m. May 12 and 28, with a public hearing on the 12-month budget slated for 6 p.m. June 4.

Two southwestern Michigan residents face charges in northern Indiana in the death of a 10-year-old girl who died after ingesting methamphetamine. Prosecutors say the girl and her 9-year-old sibling were taken to an Elkhart home last June by her father, 34-year-old Brandon Hobbs, and his 30-year-old girlfriend, Erica Reschke. The girl died at the home. Toxicology tests revealed high levels …

A pursuit that started in Elkhart County ended after a standoff at a residence in Cass County. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies assisted Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department deputies, who were in pursuit of a suspect with multiple felony warrants. The pursuit crossed into Cass County shortly before 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The vehicle was pursued to the Edwardsburg area, where the …

Northern Indiana police say a home burglary suspect allegedly offered two homeowners who found him inside their house $200 not to call police. Thirty-one-year-old Casey Madden of Elkhart was charged last month in a September home burglary. He remains jailed at Elkhart County’s jail on burglary and other charges. Court documents say the homeowners returned home Sept. 30 to find …

Driving while holding a cellphone soon will be illegal in one southern Michigan city. The Battle Creek Enquirer reports that a new ordinance goes into effect Friday in Battle Creek, but police don’t plan to ticket drivers — just yet — for typing, scrolling or talking on phones without the use of hands-free devices. City officials say enforcement will start …