News

In response to Wednesday’s State of the State address by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, State Rep. Aaron Miller released the following statement: “While I am more than happy to work with the governor on a realistic road funding solution, paying for it on our credit card is not the answer. “Road-improvement bonds will be detrimental to our children’s futures and they …

A man convicted of killing his pregnant girlfriend when they were teenagers in 1993 has been sentenced to at least 25 years in prison. The new sentence gives Robert Leamon an opportunity for release after his earlier no-parole sentence was set aside by a Cass County judge. Rebecca Stowe was 15 years old when she disappeared from the Niles area. …

State police troopers are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident at the Three Rivers Community Players Club in Lockport Township. The group’s building is located by Walmart. Authorities said the incident occurred between 9 a.m. Jan. 13, and 6 p.m. Jan. 14. Further details about the theft were not available in a department media release.

A woman was arrested after she allegedly stole a recreational vehicle in Cass County. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called around 6 p.m. Sunday to a field on Osborn Road, near Eagle Point Road in Calvin Township. Behnke said the nature of the call centered on a suspicious vehicle parked in the vicinity. Deputies located the RV stuck in …

Representatives from the Michigan Department of Transportation will be in Three Rivers in March to provide an update on the second year of the U.S. 131 renovation project in Three Rivers. The luncheon presentation starts at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18 and concludes at 1 p.m. at the Carnegie Center for the Arts. The 2020 portion of the work …

A woman and her daughter died in a fire Monday night at their Fabius Township residence. State police said the victims were 37-year-old Michelle Bixler and 16-year-old Cheyenne Bixler. Due to the location of the fire in the residence, responding police and fire personnel were unable to enter the home until after the blaze was extinguished. The fire took place …

The Michigan Public Service Commission last week approved a settlement agreement that establishes new rates in support of Indiana Michigan Power’s Michigan Plan, originally submitted last June. The agreement was reached between Indiana Michigan Power and parties representing the interests of consumers, environmentalists, businesses and the state of Michigan. MPSC approval provides I&M the opportunity to make significant investments in …

A bicyclist was struck by a car earlier this week in Cass County’s Newberg Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 6:30 p.m. Sunday to M-40 near Hoffman Street. Behnke said a car driven north on M-40 crested a hill and struck a bicycle ridden by David Hutchins, age 57, of Jones. Hutchins was transported to Three …

A plan introduced by state Rep. Aaron Miller, and signed into law in October updating and clarifying Michigan counseling practices, took effect this week. Updates were needed because the state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs proposed a rule that would have precluded many licensed professional counselors from using counseling techniques and psychotherapy to treat patients. LPCs are invaluable to …

The Michigan Senate has voted to require that a study be done to assess the feasibility of tolls along the state’s highways. The bill was sent Tuesday to the House for future consideration. It’s among several road funding-related measures that cleared the Republican-led Senate. Democrats voted against bills they said would seek to shift funds so higher union-level wages would …