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Republican Rep. Fred Upton has easily won reelection to his southwest Michigan House seat for more than 30 years by touting his “common-sense values” and bipartisan accomplishments. But then came the hyperpolarized politics of the Donald Trump era. Now no one, including Upton, really knows what the future holds for him heading into the 2020 election. With the impeachment storm …

A 33-year-old police officer has been shot and wounded outside a home in Battle Creek. Battle Creek officer Jeffery Johnson was in stable condition at a hospital after being struck about 2:30 a.m. Saturday in the chest and left leg. A slug also grazed one of his wrists. Police say officers were on patrol when they heard yelling at the …

The St. Joseph County Election Commission has approved the language for a recall of a Constantine Public Schools Board of Education member. A clarity/factuality hearing Monday acted on the recall, filed by now-retired district band teacher Marge Caid. Caid has alleged that Syntia Salisbury violated a school board policy related to ethics, conflict of interest and using a board position …

Here’s a reminder that tickets for the St. Joseph County United Way’s Christmas Cash Fundraiser raffle are on sale, with all proceeds to benefit the Centreville-based agency. Tickets, which are $5 each or five for $20, are available from the United Way office and Sturgis City Hall. The drawing will take place during the Sturgis City Commission’s Dec. 11 meeting.

A St. Joseph County school superintendent is a candidate for the job of chief of Bronson Public Schools. Steve Wilson, superintendent of Constantine Public Schools, is one of seven people to be interviewed for the post. One other candidate with local ties is Harmonee McCrea, who currently serves as principal at Wall School in Sturgis. First-round interviews will take place …

Three teammates from Mendon High School’s varsity volleyball team have been recognized for state accolades. The Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association earlier this week released its members of the 2019 All-State team. In Division 4, junior Anna Smith and senior Juliana Hagenbuch were each voted to the First Team, while senior Gracie Russell landed on the Second Team. In Division …

Sturgis police responded Tuesday afternoon to an armed robbery at a business on South Centerville Road. Deputy Chief Ryan Banaszak said the incident occurred around 3 p.m. in the 800 block of South Centerville Road. Banaszak said a woman entered Advance America and showed a firearm while demanding money. The suspect left the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency wants to ensure drivers and their passengers are safe year-round, especially including the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. There were 513 passenger-vehicle occupants killed in vehicle crashes across the nation in 2018. Two recent trends have sprung from the Thanksgiving holiday: “Blackout Wednesday” and “Danksgiving,” both trends that highlight and even encourage the heavy consumption of …

A crowdfunding effort by the St. Joseph County Commission On Aging reached its $50,000 goal. COA director Tim Stoll said as a result of meeting its goal, the agency qualifies for a $50,000 match through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Stoll said the funds will help with development of a park at the newly opened Rivers Enrichment Center at the …

Three Rivers Community Schools Superintendent Ron Moag received an evaluation of “effective” during a special meeting last week. Moag, the district’s second-year superintendent, was graded based on an evaluation procedure established by the Michigan Association of School Boards. District officials said a tally of all categories resulted in a score of 3.4 on a four-point scale. The 86 percent rating …