News

Ninety-five percent of the income St. Joseph County Treasurer’s Office took in last fiscal year was from two sources. During her annual report to county commissioners earlier this month, treasurer Judie Ratering said the department had revenue of nearly $943,000. Two-thirds of that – more than $660,000 – was from delinquent-tax fees, while investment earnings generated the balance, about $235,000. …

Eighteen companies received recognition for employing adults who have mental illness with the support of Clubhouse employment and recovery centers across Michigan. Seventeen state legislators earlier this month at Michigan’s Capitol building presented awards to the companies in recognition of their leadership in choosing to give people who have mental illness an opportunity to re-enter the workforce, with support. The …

The U.S. Small Business Administration is working with the state police and local emergency managers to conduct damage assessments following flooding last month in Michigan. The survey is taking place in eight Lower Peninsula counties after Gov. Rick Snyder recently requested the assessments so people could be eligible for more aid. If approved, the SBA disaster assistance program would make …

Michigan shipwreck hunters have found the remains of a schooner that sank in Lake Michigan in 1873 during a storm. The Lizzie Throop was found in 280 feet of water along western Michigan’s coastline some 15 miles northwest of the city of South Haven, the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association announced this past week. The vessel set sail from Muskegon on …

A woman says her 13-year-old son had red marks and bruises on his neck after being choked by a substitute teacher at a Kalamazoo school. Mona Thompson tells WWMT-TV her son was asked to leave the classroom Tuesday at Kalamazoo’s Milwood Magnet School after another student threw a tennis ball at the teacher. She says the teacher grabbed the 8th grader by …

A southwestern Michigan man who authorities say walked into a police department and confessed to killing his girlfriend has been convicted. Berrien County Trial Court says 52-year-old James Parker Huffman of Niles was convicted Thursday of first-degree murder. He faces a mandatory term of life in prison without the possibility of parole at his sentencing, which is scheduled for April …

The field of six candidates for Sturgis Public Schools’ superintendent position has been whittled to a list of two names. Nicole Airgood, the district’s current assistant superintendent, and Arthur Ebert, deputy superintendent of West Bloomfield Schools, were chosen as finalists this week. Airgood has been with the district for nine years. She previously served in administrative and teacher positions at …

Sturgis and St. Joseph County parks and recreation departments are collaborating to construct a disc-golf course at Cade Lake County Park. The course, named Deadwood at Cade Lake, will be an 18-hole course through the wooded area at Cade Lake County Park in Fawn River Township. Fundraising efforts for the project are underway. To sponsor a tee or make a …

Authorities in a southwestern Michigan county are investigating cases from nearly 200 previously untested rape kits that eventually could lead to charges. Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting tells the Kalamazoo Gazette for a story Thursday that investigators are trying to prioritize cases approaching the end of time periods where legal action can be taken. Some of the kits are close to 30 …

A shakeup at Tuesday’s Colon Village Council meeting saw the resignation of its president and a council member, and the contract of its village manager not renewed. After 14 months as village president, Diane Downs announced her resignation from the seven-member panel. Nancy Percival, a longtime council member, also announced her resignation, also effective immediately. Later, the board voted to …