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A prosecutor says a Battle Creek police officer was justified in shooting a 14-year-old boy who had a toy gun in the waistband of his pants. The Battle Creek Enquirer and WOOD-TV report that Calhoun County Prosecutor David Gilbert says the officer “violated no criminal law” when he wounded the boy in the shoulder Nov. 16 while responding to a …

Officials say a southwestern Michigan high school gymnasium that lost part of its roof in a windstorm is expected to be unusable for about two more months.  Workers have been trying to repair damage to Mattawan High School in Van Buren County. The Nov. 17 storm blew off part of the roof, sending water into the gym and cafeteria. Superintendent …

Because it takes about two weeks after receiving the flu vaccine to be fully protected against the flu virus, state health officials urge Michiganders to get a flu shot before they head to holiday parties and other gatherings where infections can spread rapidly. Angela Minicuci, of the Michigan Department of Community Health, says influenza can lead to serious illness and …

Thirteen stores in the Three Rivers downtown business district will be a part of a contest this weekend. Free homemade cookies will be available at each location and the public is asked to vote on its favorite. Each vote qualifies as an entry into a drawing for a $50 “Downtown Dollars” certificate. The event is Saturday and Sunday at Love …

A judge has sentenced a northern Indiana teenager to 65 years in prison for the fatal drive-by shooting of another teen. Seventeen-year-old Jesus Macedo-Perez of Elkhart read during Thursday’s court hearing from a handwritten letter apologizing to the family of 16-year-old Braxton Barhams for the June 22 shooting. Macedo-Perez pleaded guilty to murder charges in exchange for Elkhart County prosecutors …

As lawmakers have ended their work in Lansing for the year, Governor Rick Snyder admits he didn’t get everything he wanted in 2013, but he still appears satisfied. He had asked that the Legislature fund repairs to Michigan’s ailing roads this year, and while that never happened, the governor says he feels they had a very positive, constructive year. He …

The Community Action Agency of St. Joseph County has issued a media release providing advance notice about its 29th Walk for Warmth event. Nancy Percival, CAA board member, said the fundraiser will take place Feb. 22. It will take place simultaneously in six communities in St. Joseph, Barry, Branch and Calhoun counties. A fundraising goal of $50,000 has been set. …

State health officials are urging Michiganders to get a flu shot, especially since the state’s vaccination rate was no better than 42nd in the nation last year. Last flu season, only 40.8 percent of Michigan’s residents were vaccinated against the flu. This was below the national flu vaccination coverage of 45 percent. Michigan lags behind the U.S. estimates for flu …

A Michigan legislator has announced a bill to require gas stations and convenience stores that stay open between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. to have two employees working or to install security cameras. The bill unveiled Monday in western Michigan comes after the April disappearance of a 26-year-old woman from her job at a Norton Shores gas station. Jessica Heeringa’s …

A 22-year-old Elkhart man has pleaded guilty to two counts of murder in the shooting deaths of the owner of a northern Indiana convenience store and an employee.  Richard Gross pleaded guilty Monday moments before his trial was scheduled to begin. He admitted taking part in a Sept. 5 robbery at Saleh’s Market east of downtown Elkhart, where 55-year-old Jagtar …