News

Legislation headed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk would require county clerks to keep processing concealed pistol licenses during state-declared or locally declared emergencies. The Republican-sponsored bill, a response to what happened in 2020 after the coronavirus pandemic struck and prompted government shutdowns, was approved Thursday by the House on a largely party-line 58-43 vote The sponsor, Sen. Lana Theis of Brighton, …

Constantine Village Council members this week discussed benefits of a special assessment to assist funding the village’s fire department and possibly its police department, too. Council members unanimously decided to seek voter approval and put the special-assessment request on the ballot in November. Village manager Mark Honeysett said a special assessment has to specifically state what the tax is to be used …

An annual event recognizing the production of maple syrup takes place the next two weekends in Cass County. Maple Row Sugarhouse is, once again, hosting its Maple Festival. The event is being promoted as “a festival celebrating everything great about maple syrup.” The program takes place 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 19 and 26, and 10 a.m. to 3 …

The Republican-led Legislature on Wednesday began voting to lift, for six months, Michigan’s 27.2-cents-a-gallon gasoline and diesel taxes amid pump prices that exceed $4 per gallon. GOP leaders announced the plan a day after Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer urged Congress to suspend the 18.4-cents-a-gallon federal gas tax and 24.4-cent diesel tax. Her office did not embrace temporarily halting state fuel taxes, saying …

St. Joseph County officials took a step closer Tuesday toward finding appropriate allocations for an $11.8 million windfall. During their executive committee meeting Tuesday, county commissioners heard an update regarding the money awarded as part of the American Rescue Plan Act. Led by Tim Dempsey, of Lansing-based Public Sector Consultants, Tuesday’s update centered on some likely destination for the federal …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a hit-and-run crash in White Pigeon Township. According to a department media release, the incident occurred on Lake Road, near East Lake Drive. The date and time were not included in the release. Troopers said a 40-year-old White Pigeon man was stopped on the shoulder of Lake Road making repairs underneath his truck. A …

Michigan House of Representatives this week approved a plan to honor the late Ryan Proxmire, a former Kalamazoo County sheriff’s deputy from Three Rivers. State Rep. Steve Carra, who serves on the House Transportation Committee, said dedicating part of U.S. 131 in Kalamazoo County as the “Sergeant Ryan J. Proxmire Memorial Highway” would be a fitting way to commemorate the …

Centreville Board of Education members last week OK’d a request from Lawrence Public Schools to join the Southwest 10 athletic conference. The formality was approved and still needs support from a majority of the league’s other nine current members. With consideration to the one-hour distance between Centreville and Lawrence, interim superintendent Chad Brady hinted how Centreville might want to consider …

Three Rivers Community Schools recently welcomed a pair of “Paws with a Cause” facility dogs. Therapy dogs Tanner, a golden retriever based at Three Rivers High School, and Austin, a black Lab based at Norton Elementary, already are making a difference as part of the district’s K9 Comfort Crew. Three Rivers Public Library last week hosted a meet-and-greet with the …

Michigan drivers with auto insurance will soon start getting previously announced $400 refunds per vehicle. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the state’s top insurance regulator said Monday that a $3 billion transfer of surplus funds from the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association to car insurers will be completed this week. The companies will have 60 days to issue the refunds — no …