News

The Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport conducted an emergency drill starting on Friday (5-21-21). Area police, fire and emergency agencies converged on the airport to practice procedures necessary in the event of an actual emergency. It was part of a drill to support the requirements to exercise the Airport Emergency Plan every three years, according to Anton Bjorkman, assistant director of …

Members of the Three Rivers City Commission approved a pair of ordinances to allow recreational marijuana facilities. Two ordinances approved Tuesday will allow recreational marijuana establishments as special-exception uses. Meanwhile, the second detailed how and where they are able to locate within the city. Municipal officials said it’s likely applications for permits by November. In addition, stipulations will require that …

Michigan will fully lift outdoor capacity limits on June 1 and, starting July 1, end indoor gathering caps that were put in place to curb COVID-19, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Thursday in a major loosening of economic restrictions. The state has limited occupancy in restaurants and other venues since March 2020, when the coronavirus hit. The announcement, which includes raising …

A St. Joseph County steering committee, formed to identify the fate of nearly $12 million in federal funds, held its first meeting this week. Though specifics of the meeting weren’t stated, St. Joseph County Administrator Teresa Doehring told commissioners Tuesday that the gathering was a good starting point. It took place earlier in the day Tuesday. The parties involved were …

The Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy has been awarded $1 million from Kalamazoo River Natural Resources Damages Assessment settlement funds to purchase a 140-acre property in Allegan County. The property, the Armintrout-Milbocker Nature Preserve, is located just outside downtown Allegan and along the west bank of the Kalamazoo River. Conservancy officials said the heart of the property features 100 upland acres of mostly …

A number of minor details were taken care of at Tuesday’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting. First, commissioners approved the $8,900 purchase of a mobile/video recording system for animal control officer Greg Musser and his vehicle. Commissioners also approved an exception to the hiring freeze, granting undersheriff Jason Bingaman’s request for a typist/clerk. The position pays about $57,000 …

Area law-enforcement agencies responded this week to a report of mail theft. Sheriff’s deputies and state police troopers responded Monday to an area of Mintdale Road near Burg Road in Florence Township regarding mail scattered along the roadway. Investigators found mail throughout the area, which appeared to have been taken from mailboxes in Florence, Sherman and White Pigeon townships. Authorities …

A Constantine man was arrested this week after leading authorities on a high-speed pursuit that originated in Constantine Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies early Sunday morning attempted to stop a vehicle for a speeding violation in the 14000 block of North River Road. The pursuit covered several miles, Lillywhite said, and reached high speeds as it continued into Mottville …

St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department deputies were involved in a pursuit last weekend that ended in Mottville Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said the incident started Saturday evening when deputies attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation near the intersection of Dickinson Road and Burke Road. The suspect’s vehicle traveled a number of miles before the pursuit ended in …

State police troopers are investigating the larceny of a catalytic converter from a location in Mendon Township. The incident took place Thursday night or Friday morning last week in the 24000 block of Clark Road. Troopers said there is a notable rise in theft of catalytic converters in the region.