News

WellNow Urgent Care has announced it has opened its Sturgis location. The grand opening was Wednesday last week at its facility in the 1100 block of South Centerville Road. Its staff offers treatment for non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses, COVID-19 PCR testing and occupational-medicine services 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. Patients may schedule a visit or receive …

Legal Services of South Central Michigan – Battle Creek office – will conduct interviews for legal advice and possible representation, without charge, over the telephone to local seniors. Legal Services of South Central Michigan is a nonprofit organization that provides high-quality legal assistance, representation and education to seniors in St. Joseph and Branch, counties. The agency seeks volunteers and pro-bono …

State Police troopers from the Marshall Post are investigating the theft of a catalytic converter earlier this week in Calhoun County. The incident occurred at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. The victim’s vehicle was parked on 25 ½ Mile Road near B Drive South. Witnesses report seeing a white male suspect lying on the ground near the vehicle. He was picked up …

A history tour in Sturgis returns Saturday and again Sept. 24 at Oak Lawn Cemetery, where more than a dozen re-enactors will share the stories of past Sturgis community figures. The second annual Oak Lawn Cemetery walking tour will have two tour groups of up to 20 people, with each tour to depart every 30 minutes from 4 to p.m. Each …

Voters will determine whether to place abortion rights in the Michigan Constitution, the state Supreme Court declared Thursday, settling the issue a day before the fall ballot must be completed. Abortion rights would be guaranteed if the amendment passes on Nov. 8.  A 1931 state law makes it a crime to perform most abortions, but the law was suspended in …

Authorities evacuated several homes in a Kalamazoo neighborhood Thursday evening after a ruptured gas line caught fire. Police and firefighters evacuated all homes within a one-block radius of the fire, and police diverted traffic away from the area. Firefighters reported a 4-inch natural gas line ruptured and was burning under ground in a construction zone, the Kalamazoo Gazette said. Gas …

Even though battery costs are rising, auto companies are rolling out more affordable electric vehicles that should widen their appeal to a larger group of buyers. The latest came Thursday from General Motors, a Chevrolet Equinox small SUV with a starting price somewhere around $30,000 and a range-per-charge of 250 miles. You can get range of 300 miles if you …

Indiana Michigan Power next week will close the reservoir boat ramp and restrict access to the canoe portage near the Mottville Hydroelectric Plant for maintenance work. Work will begin on Monday and is expected to conclude by Oct. 21. During the scheduled maintenance work, I&M asks those traveling or living near the hydroelectric facility to be aware of heavy equipment …

Sturgis Hospital is looking to change its operating model Jan. 1 from a traditional facility to a rural emergency hospital. The hospital was saved from imminent closure earlier in the summer when the state provided financial relief to carry the facility to the end of the year. The state’s help enabled the hospital to not only remain open, but work toward …

Two road-related projects started Tuesday in St. Joseph County. The bigger task involves a seven-mile stretch of roadway in Leonidas Township. MDOT officials said the work centers on M-60, which will be re-repaved from the junction of M-66 east to Hacker Road, at the Branch County line. Meanwhile, the other project involves a one-mile section of U.S. 12 from Fairview …