News

State police are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that occurred earlier this month in Branch County’s Noble Township. According to a department media release, a barn in the 700 block of Dutch School Road was entered between Feb. 17 and 20. Two firearms, an antique potbelly stove, a grill, a trolling motor and a large assortment of tools were stolen during …

Constantine village officials were advised to scrutinize the municipality’s water and sewer billing, according to accountant Rick Strawser. A Norman & Paulsen representative reviewed the village’s financial statements with the village council last week and read an independent auditor’s report for the year ending March 31. Strawser said the village budgeted well, but needs to continue to keep an eye …

Michigan State Police say three people were killed when their car collided with an Amtrak train near Kalamazoo. Oshtemo Township Fire Chief Mark Barnes says no one on the train was injured, but everyone in the car died in the collision about 10 p.m. Sunday west of Kalamazoo. Police identified the crash victims Monday as 20-year-old Jarmaine Brown, 19-year-old Marcionna …

Indiana Michigan Power has restored power to 94 percent of customers who lost service on Sunday and is working to restore the remainder. Crews have restored power to all South Bend/Elkhart area customers affected by Sunday’s high winds. In Muncie, Marion and Fort Wayne combined, fewer than 100 customers remained to be restored as of 4 p.m.  Monday.  I&M is …

Members of the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging Advisory Board discussed a Thurston Woods lease agreement at Sturgis Enrichment Center. COA executive director Tim Stoll said Thurston Woods has been leasing space at Sturgis Enrichment Center to run Thurston Cares Adult Day Program, though the $2,500-per-month rate has raised some eyebrows, Stoll said. Board member Al Balog asked if …

Demolition of a landmark building in Constantine started last week. Grand Rapids-based Pitsch Company began work to demolish the old Constantine High School on Canaris Street. The school, built in the 1920s, initially housed students grades K through 12. In later years, it was the site of the high school, then the middle school. It was closed in 2002, coinciding …

Three Rivers Community Schools has turned in to the state a forgiveness waiver that, if approved, would nix three of the 10 days it has canceled school this year. Superintendent Ron Moag said the waiver is a standard form that will be considered by the Michigan Department of Education. The intent is to make up as few classes as necessary …

Lawmakers who want Michigan to no longer automatically try 17-year-olds as adults are pointing to its outlier status as among the reasons to pass bipartisan bills to “raise the age.” Michigan is among four states whose default is to treat 17-year-olds as adults in criminal proceedings. There is a growing consensus that 17-year-olds are better off in the juvenile justice …

Police say a northern Indiana pilot died after his small plane hit power lines and crashed in a farm field in northern Indiana. Elkhart County Sheriff Jeff Siegel says 55-year-old Neal Myers of Middlebury died in the crash Thursday night about 2 miles east of Goshen Municipal Airport. FAA spokesman Tony Molinaro told The Goshen News that Myers was practicing …

Michigan State Police and utilities are warning people high winds could cause power outages on Sunday. The National Weather Service says a high wind watch is in effect from Saturday night through Sunday night in southern and eastern Michigan including the Thumb region. It says sustained west winds of 30-40 mph with gusts as high as 60 mph are possible. …