News

The state of Michigan is providing a credit to help low-income, working families offset home-heating expenses this winter. State Rep. Matt Lori said homeowners and renters alike may qualify for the credit even if they do not owe any Michigan income tax and do not file an income tax for 2013. And unlike most tax credits, which need to be …

The University of Notre Dame is raising undergraduate tuition by 3.8 percent to more than $46,000 next school year. The school says the percentage increase is the same as in recent years. With average room and board rates of more than $13,000, total student charges for 2014-15 will be about $59,500. Notre Dame’s president, the Rev. John Jenkins, thanked parents …

Six people were hurt in a huge 40-vehicle pile-up on Interstate 94 in Van Buren County that resulted in the highway being shut down for several hours Monday night. The crash involved about 20 semi trucks and happened during the evening commute as heavy snow fell throughout the area. The Interstate re-opened after the wreckage was finally cleared-up around 3:30 …

Supporters of boosting the hourly minimum wage in Michigan want to put a bigger proposed increase before voters than previously announced, organizers of the effort said Monday. The Raise Michigan campaign said it now wants to raise the minimum wage from $7.40 per hour to $10.10 per hour by January 2017. The campaign previously had submitted proposed ballot language to …

Due to abnormally low temps Lockport Township Water Department is asking its customers to please leave your water running in one faucet of your home to prevent freezing of your service line until further notice.  Lockport Township Water Department will review the next quarterly billing for increased usages and apply credits as necessary.  If you have an emergency please contact …

The Sturgis Department of Public Services is asking its residents to be conscious of freezing water lines. DPS officials said with the depth of frost, the department is receiving an abundance of calls regarding frozen water lines. To alleviate the problem, DPS officials suggest allowing a stream of water to run from a single faucet. Officials in Burr Oak, Centreville, …

St. Joseph County Sheriff deputies were dispatched Saturday to a call regarding an intoxicated man passed out behind Maria’s restaurant in Sturgis. When deputies arrived they were told by employees the man was picked up by family members and transported home. Later that night, however, deputies were contacted regarding a 31-year-old old male admitted to Lagrange County Hospital with severe …

More than 75 people participated last weekend in Camp Fort Hill’s inaugural Winter Adventure program. The three-hour event Saturday allowed participants to cross-country ski, snow shoe, enjoy a campfire, chili, soup and grilled-cheese sandwiches. Also, a birds of prey demonstration was out on by Lake Milton Raptor Education Center of Union. Dave Ludders, camp manager, said the inaugural event was …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has reported that a second jurisdictional death associated with this year’s flu has occurred. The victim was a St. Joseph County man who tested positive for Influenza A/H1N1, which is the predominant influenza strain making the rounds this year, according to the health department. The victim, who was more than 60 years old, also …

Three Rivers city officials are in the midst of working out a potential ordinance regulating collection boxes. The matter was most recently discussed at the commission’s Feb. 4 meeting, when Mayor Tom Lowry indicated his preference for the boxes to be banned within the city limits. Lowry said the boxes take resources away from the community and do not provide …