News

St. Joseph County will not be included in a national lawsuit against manufacturers and distributors of opioids. During Tuesday’s meeting, a motion to approve outside counsel for opioid litigation failed after a 2-2 deadlock. Commissioner John Dobberteen was absent. The issue of a national opioid-addiction crisis has been well documented, and a number of municipalities and government entities have banded …

A Bronson woman and two Marcellus men were arrested after they were involved in a high-speed pursuit starting in St. Joseph County and ending in Indiana last week. Authorities said a car driven by 30-year-old Rachel Hicks was being pursued around 8:30 p.m. Friday by Michigan State Police, Three Rivers, and White Pigeon agencies. Hicks entered Indiana and a LaGrange …

A Mendon Community Schools administrator was interviewed Tuesday as one of three candidates for the job of superintendent of Quincy Community Schools. Marc Kramer, Mendon High School principal, was the first of the three candidates interviewed. The other candidates are James Baker, assistant superintendent for Battle Creek Lakeview Public Schools, and Monte Moffett, assistant superintendent of schools in Chesterton, Ind. …

Members of the Centreville Village Council agreed this week to not move forward with a medical-marijuana ordinance. The council had worked on the ordinance since May 2017, but over the past few months, multiple residents attended meetings and urged the council to vote against the idea. Village president Keith Shears and trustees Jeff Johnson, Steve Quake, Harlie Sherman and Dick …

A Portage woman has been charged in her 87-year-old mother’s overdose death. Susan Kubicek was arraigned Tuesday for a second-degree murder charge in the May 5 death of her mother, Dorothy Allen. Kubicek had been caring for her ailing mother months before she died, said Steve Salik, Kubicek’s brother. Salik said their mother needed 24-hour care after having her thyroid …

Some dog owners are seeking compensation after 30 pets were killed during a spring break fire at a western Michigan kennel. Jennifer Nunez tells WOOD-TV that her family is heartbroken over the death of Harley, a Newfoundland that cost more than $1,200. A daughter goes to bed with Harley’s bandana. A GoFundMe account has raised nearly $900 for victims. Janet Rehfus, owner …

The schedule for the annual Michigan Department of Transportation Adopt-A-Highway program has been changed due to persistent snowbanks and late-season snowstorms. The ongoing pickup in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula will be extended through April 29. The section’s clean-up period started last weekend, though cold and rain prevented any group from taking part in the opening weekend. The …

A Detroit-area man died in a single-vehicle accident last week in Cass County’s Mason Township. Sheriff’s deputies were called at 10:30 p.m. Friday to Kessington Road, where 32-year-old Gary May, of New Haven, was driving northbound and lost control of the Jeep Cherokee he was driving, according to authorities. The vehicle left the roadway and overturned several times. May, who …

The field of candidates for Three Rivers Community Schools superintendent has been narrowed to two finalists. District officials announced last week that the two candidates interviewed Thursday will return for another round of questions later in the month. They are Jonathon Whan and Ron Moag. Moag is chief financial officer and human resources officer for Suttons Bay Public Schools, while …

Sturgis Hospital has announced a number of impending changes following a series of measures adopted by its board members. According to hospital officials, the following moves are being implemented to help strengthen its financial position and prepare for the future: ■ Sturgis Hospital Board of Directors has told hospital administration to seek and evaluate potential partners whose assets can enhance and …