News

Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic hits a bright note today, as American Airlines returns to the airport. American had pulled its schedule for October, November and December in an effort to navigate the impacts of COVID-19 on flight operations. Airport director Craig Williams said AZO welcomes American’s return to Kalamazoo and the access it provides to …

Sturgis Township officials are preparing for a road-improvement plan. Stubey Road north of U.S. 12 is tentatively set for repaving this year, an undertaking recently approved by township officials. The project will involve Stubey Road north of U.S. 12, while township officials tabled a portion of the same road from Fawn River Road to the Indiana state line. Supervisor George …

A former Three Rivers teacher and his family escaped a fire last week, and now a GoFundMe site has been set up to help their recovery. Joel Moore, former choir teacher at Three Rivers High School, along with his wife and their three school-aged children, safely escaped a fire that destroyed their Three Rivers home Thursday. A relative of the …

A 20-year-old Three Rivers man was arrested after leading authorities on a pursuit last week in Park Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies attempted to stop a speeding vehicle shortly after 1 a.m. Thursday on U.S. 131 at Michigan Avenue. The suspect fled from deputies and was pursued into the city of Three Rivers. The suspect then abandoned his vehicle …

The St. Joseph County Road Commission wishes to remind residents that state law prohibits plowing or shoveling of snow into the roadway. Agency officials said the reminder is relevant after last weekend’s snow event, the first of the season in St. Joseph County. It is recommended that snow from end-of-driveway shoveling be tossed three to five feet away from the …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has received an initial allotment of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccinations began for individuals in Phase 1A priority groups last week, as hospitals in the Branch-Hillsdale-St Joseph counties also received shipments to vaccinate their front-line workers. Communications are taking place directly with these entities, and clinics are not open to the general public at this …

The Verizon store in Sturgis was robbed Tuesday. Investigators said the incident occurred at 1:38 p.m. at 1382 S. Centerville Road and involved four black men. They were unarmed. Police said the suspects left the scene in a gray Toyota Corolla later located in the 1300 block of Cato Lane. It had been reported stolen from Grand Rapids earlier in …

Sheriff’s officials are investigating several break-ins recently in the Tamarac subdivision in Lockport Township. Deputies were dispatched to Eagle Drive for a breaking and entering to an outbuilding and also to Falcon Court for a report of larceny from a vehicle. Investigators said they believe the incidents are related and occurred the night of Dec. 26.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law a $106 million plan Tuesday that will provide relief to businesses and fund efforts to fight the economic impact of the coronavirus. Though the plan was a collaborative effort between the governor and the legislature, Whitmer told reporters that the legislature strayed from the original agreement and that the $465 million plan the legislature …

A Sturgis woman faces numerous charges after she managed to escape from handcuffs and drive a patrol car from the scene of an accident. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said authorities responded to a property-damage accident shortly after 3 a.m. Monday on Lutz Road near Hoshel Road. The 25-year-old driver was subsequently arrested for operating while intoxicated. While deputies searched the vehicle …