News

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 …

A gun safe that included a number of firearms was stolen last week from a residence in Calhoun County’s Burlington Township. Michigan State Police troopers said the incident occurred at 4:20 p.m. Thursday on P Drive South. The suspect stole a Sentinel gun safe containing multiple firearms, ammunition and other personal items. Archery equipment and tools were also stolen. A …

Michigan would spend $20 million to upgrade security at up to 400 schools, expand a tip line that lets students report threats and require schools to incorporate behavioral health assessments into their procedures under a plan Gov. Rick Snyder outlined on Monday. The proposal was developed in the wake of the shooting massacre at a Florida high school in February …

A 48-year-old Cass County resident was charged with a methamphetamine-related offense last week in Mason Township. The Cass County Drug Enforcement Team responded Wednesday to the 70000 block of Sterling Drive to execute a search warrant. Detectives located a marijuana-grow operation that was in compliance with Michigan’s Medical Marijuana Act. However, methamphetamine and methamphetamine paraphernalia were located in a bedroom …

State Rep. Aaron Miller, chair of the House Elections and Ethics Committee, said a plan approved by the committee last week would modernize Michigan’s voter-registration system by giving qualified voters the option to register online. Miller said requiring residents to fill out a paper form to register to vote is an antiquated process and is actually less secure than an …

The Michigan State Police “Citizens’ Academy,” an eight-week program that gives citizens the opportunity to become familiar with the mission and operation of Michigan State Police, is beginning a new session next month. The program will teach participants to understand the procedures troopers follow, increase their awareness of law enforcement’s role in the community and get to know personnel at …

The Michigan Public Service Commission has authorized Indiana Michigan Power to adjust rates as part of I&M’s “Michigan Building the Future” plan. This is the first increase in Michigan base rates since 2012 for I&M, an American Electric Power company. For a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of energy per month, the increase will be less than $20 per …

Wildlife biologists are worried about how prolonged wintry weather will affect deer in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. State Department of Natural Resources supervisor Terry Minzey says things looked good for the U.P. deer herd a month ago. But the situation has deteriorated as winter has held on. Deer fitted with radio collars for DNR studies have suffered a 13.5 percent mortality …

The exterior of a Lockport Township duplex was targeted Thursday by a team of about 35 people who volunteered to spruce up the property. The residence, vacant since 2010, was purchased by St. Joseph County through a foreclosure auction and will be used as a transitional residence for homeless veterans. Stoney Summey, Veterans’ Affairs director for St. Joseph County, said …

Authorities investigated a two-vehicle collision Thursday in Sherman Township. Sheriff’s officials said the incident occurred shortly before 4 a.m. on M-66 at Maystead Road. A pickup driven by 55-year-old Julie Rosen was struck head-on by a car driven by 34-year-old Jared Overley of Decatur. Investigators said Overley’s vehicle crossed the center line. Overley, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was …