News

Our relationship with sunshine in Michigan is… complicated.   2022 had its hits and misses. A cloudy spring (tied for cloudiest April), a spectacular June, fair July to November, and a very cloudy (but not the cloudiest) December. In December, there were 12 days in a row at Grand Rapids with daily sunshine ranging between 0 and 13 minutes. There were …

A 32-year-old man died after a shooting at a Sturgis business. Authorities said Jeremy Lampaert died after he was shot around 6 p.m. Thursday in the parking lot at Country Hearth Inn and Suites. The business is located at the southeast corner of Fawn River and South Centreville roads. Witnesses said they believe the shooting was the result of an …

Vicksburg municipal officials last month took another step toward construction of a new village office. During their Dec. 19 meeting, village council members approved a motion to manage the bid process related to the project. Village Manager Jim Mallery said the new building has been on the village’s radar since 2017 and required disciplined financial planning in order to follow …

A police chief in southwestern Michigan is stepping down following allegations by three female city employees of discrimination, sexual harassment and verbal abuse. Kalamazoo Public Safety Chief Vernon Coakley is on unpaid administrative leave and will retire effective Sunday with a severance package of more than $155,000, the Kalamazoo Gazette and WOOD-TV reported Thursday. Coakley has been with the public safety department for more …

Vicksburg Village Council members in October announced that nine local businesses would, collectively, be awarded more than $63,000 in grants aimed at property improvements within the village’s Downtown Development Authority boundaries. The first two businesses were to be presented their respective grant awards Thursday afternoon. Historically, the Village of Vicksburg has provided small grant opportunities that were restricted to façade …

Cass County deputies responded to a crash Tuesday in Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 4 p.m. to the intersection of Robbins Lake Road and Teasdale Lake Street. Investigators said Richard Shay, 44, of Jones, and his passenger, Rebecca Shay, 43, also of Jones, were traveling north on Robbins Lake Road. Meanwhile, David Ruth, 19, …

Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce officials have announced details related to the annual “State of the Area” government update. The update will take place from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on January 17 at the chamber’s event center, 1116 N. Main St. Local, county and state elected officials are expected to attend and provide brief updates on important local matters. …

Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce officials have announced director Roxanne Persing plans to step down in January. Persing, who took over the role earlier this year, has accepted a teaching job with Sturgis Public Schools, chamber officials said. The vacancy nearly coincides with the impending departure of Mike Hughes as Sturgis city manager. Hughes announced in October he would be …

A $50,000 fundraising goal was recently reached by an organization helping to protect the Paw Paw Watershed. Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy’s Miko Dargitz said the latest drive reached its goal before the Dec. 31 deadline. As a result, it will receive a $50,000 matching grant. SWMLC plans to acquire, protect and steward more than 1,500 acres and 6.5 miles of …

A challenge over water is underway in western Branch County and parts of St. Joseph County based on the habitat of brown trout. A coalition of interested parties called Prairie Water Group is trying to stop the redesignation of the Prairie River from warm to cold, which will result in major economic losses for farmers who irrigate and Branch County. Time …