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The state senate this week unanimously approved state Rep. Aaron Miller’s plan to eliminate burdensome requirements to educators, giving new teachers more time to work with students in the classroom. New teachers are issued a standard teaching certificate with a professional certificate available after three years classroom experience, over 150 hours of professional development and additional post-graduate coursework. New instructors …

A Berrien County judge has settled a legal matter between St. Joseph County and the city of Three Rivers. County officials confirmed late Tuesday afternoon that Judge John Donahue concluded Three Rivers did not breach terms of its contract with the county. The issue stems from the county’s attempt to recoup $755,000 it advanced the city to purchase the 77-acre …

Nearly 50 people gathered Tuesday at the east end of the proposed development of a multi-field sports complex to witness a ceremonial groundbreaking. Located between North Main Street to the west and Buckhorn Road to the east, the 77-acre property was annexed into Three Rivers over the objections of Lockport Township officials and opponents of the concept. Kim Losik, a …

The creation of a master plan for the so-called courts building at the St. Joseph County Courthouse appears to be resurrected. During Tuesday’s county commission meeting, board members agreed to resume its relationship with TowerPinkster Architects and Engineers of Kalamazoo regarding the preparation of a master plan for the building at the south end of the courthouse complex. The county …

Two people died earlier this week in an automobile accident in Cass County’s Pokagon Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said a PT Cruiser driven by 34-year-old Mishawaka resident Lee Ann Romita Sanez was heading south on M-51 Sunday when it crossed the center line and struck a northbound Chevy Impala. It was being driven by Phillip Seitenstich, 32, of Dowagiac. David …

A 15-year-old student who was arrested in March after threatening violence at his school and the discovery of guns, ammunition and pipe bomb materials at his southwestern Michigan home has been ordered to participate in a mental health treatment program. The boy learned his punishment Monday after earlier pleading guilty to explosives and firearms charges. Van Buren County prosecutors say …

Michigan voters will decide whether to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. A citizen-initiated measure wasn’t approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature before a 40-day deadline passed Tuesday. That means the ballot initiative will get a public vote in November. Michigan has allowed medical-marijuana use for nearly a decade. If the ballot measure is successful, Michigan would become the 10th state …

Two high school graduates in southern Michigan have been chastised by their principal and a school board member for wearing Marine dress uniforms during commencement. The Battle Creek Enquirer reports Tuesday that the Marshall High School students decided not to wear their caps and gowns for Sunday’s ceremony. District superintendent Randy Davis says they were allowed to participate in order to …

The newest member of St. Joseph County Parks and Recreation Department’s family was the focus of a ceremony Saturday. A crowd of about two dozen people gathered at the Lockport Township site to witness the dedication of Covered Bridge Farm County Park. The showcase of the seven-acre parcel, a refurbished barn that replaced the historic Culbertson family barn, served as …

(Paw Paw) — A Michigan man who told police that he was shot in the neck with an arrow while searching for deer antlers has been charged with filing a false report of a felony. State police say Michael Downey actually fell on the arrow while in woods in Van Buren County in March. Investigators say he made up the …