News

The date for the third annual Constantine Chili Throw-Down was announced Thursday by organizers of the cook-off. A roster of four Constantine-based eateries will compete for a traveling trophy, which will be presented following the Feb. 18 event concludes. As it has in the past, the public will decide this year’s winner. A $5 entry fee entitles the public to …

Legislation intended to clarify Michigan’s law banning protests at funerals is headed to Governor Rick Snyder.  The Legislature gave final approval to the bills this week with overwhelming bipartisan support.  The bills prohibit conduct, statements or gestures that would make a “reasonable person” attending the funeral or memorial service feel intimidated, threatened or harassed.  The bills could help clarify Michigan’s …

Amtrak has restored full passenger service between Detroit and Chicago, one day after one of its trains slammed into a truck that was stuck on the tracks in southern Michigan.  Wednesday’s accident happened in Jackson County’s Leoni Township, 45 miles south of Lansing. Authorities say 10 people were injured.  Township Public Safety Director Mike Jester tells the Jackson Citizen Patriot …

Authorities say a suspected diesel fuel spill has been found in the Kalamazoo River at Battle Creek.  The Battle Creek Enquirer reports the spill was found Wednesday in a drainage ditch that’s fed by storm sewers. Officials in the southern Michigan city searched Thursday for the source.  Brian Kelly, an on-scene coordinator for the Environmental Protection Agency, estimated that several …

Work on a 23-mile transmission line between Branch County and a substation in Mendon Township has hit a snag with the theft of copper wires used in the project. The incident took place at a work site off North Snow Prairie Road in northwestern Branch County either Jan. 21 or 22. Sheriff’s Department officials in Branch County said copper wires …

Officials from Three Rivers Health reported last week that the hospital realized more than $500,000 in net income in 2011. The matter was brought up during the Three Rivers Health Board of Directors meeting last Thursday. Three Rivers Health CEO Bill Russell said the figure represents an increase from $172,000 a year ago. Hospital officials said a key factor in …

Credits from a four-year university may soon be secured from a location in Sturgis, as Trine University is expected to start offering classes in the Commons Building of Sturgis Public Schools. The Angola, Ind.-based college is set to offer classes toward a bachelor’s degree in a number of fields, including business administration, emergency management, applied management, computer science and psychology, …

On January 31st at approximately 6:00 pm, Keshierra “Kiki” Buckley was reported missing. She had been missing from her home since Monday morning, January 30th. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department reports that she was found on Wednesday in the Three Rivers area in good health.

The St. Joseph County Transportation Authority is starting a new, weekly route with service to and from the Battle Creek VA Medical Center at Fort Custer. CTA executive director Steve Yorks said the inaugural trip takes place today and will continue every Wednesday. The round-trip cost is $20 and the Three Rivers-based agency needs 48 hours advance notice to coordinate …

The city of Sturgis has announced that railroad work beginning next week on West Chicago Road will close a section of the city’s most heavily traveled east-west roadway. The Michigan Department of Transportation will be conducting repairs on the railroad crossing starting Monday. The work will close U.S. 12 to thru traffic east of Jacob Street and west of Jefferson …