News

A preliminary report from the October “Count Day” shows school enrollment is slightly up in the county overall, from 10,652 students in 2016 to 10,712 students. Three Rivers Community Schools had the biggest jump, up 87 students, from 2,623 in 2016 to 2,710 in 2017. Mendon Community Schools experienced the biggest dip in enrollment, down 42 students from 581 in …

Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education members during a special meeting Wednesday accepted the resignation of superintendent Jean Logan. She advised the board last week that she expects to land a position in another district. A second order of business Wednesday saw the board hire Portage resident Rob Kuhlman to serve as interim superintendent. Kuhlman, 61, retired in June …

State Rep. Aaron Miller joined Rep. Lee Chatfield of Levering to introduce House Resolution 223, observing Jan. 16 as Religious Freedom Day in Michigan. Religious Freedom Day commemorates the anniversary of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, written by Thomas Jefferson. This statute ensured that never again would private citizens suffer at the hand of an abusive state church. Miller called Tuesday’s …

An Edwardsburg man was injured after he was involved in a one-car accident this week in Cass County’s Mason Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 4:35 a.m. Tuesday to Cassopolis Road, near Grange Street. Investigators said 27-year-old Darol Bussen of Edwardsburg was driving south on Cassopolis Road when he lost control of his vehicle and it struck …

The Republican-led Michigan Legislature voted Wednesday to override Gov. Rick Snyder’s veto of a speedier tax cut for those who trade in their car for a new one, the first override in his tenure and just the fourth in the last 67 years. Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof said the “timing was right” — the same day the chamber approved …

The fireball that streaked through the Michigan sky put on quite a show but as far as potentially killer space rocks, it was merely a flash in the pan. There are much bigger asteroids careening through our solar system. Scientists who watch for them hope they spot them in time to get people out of the way if a truly …

The village of Colon appears to be in the market for a new village office. During Tuesday’s village council meeting, the idea of replacing the current, 50-year-old double-wide structure was discussed. Talks were spurred by the fact the furnace at the current village office broke down two weeks ago and employees have worked there sporadically with the benefit of space …

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a hit-and-run incident that occurred last weekend in Flowerfield Township. According to a department media release, deputies were called shortly before 5:30 p.m. Saturday to Flatbush Road, where a northbound passenger car crossed the center line and struck a southbound car just south of Floating Bridge Road. The northbound car continued on Flatbush Road without stopping, …

Cass County deputies assisted a local police agency in a breaking-and-entering incident that was reported to be in progress. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 2:30 a.m. Thursday to assist Silver Creek Township Police Department. It had responded to a suspicious vehicle near the 31000 Block of Magician Lake Terrace and at the location of a house that …

A veteran member of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners was recognized by his peers this week. During Tuesday’s county commission meeting, board chairman Dennis Allen presented Allen Balog with a plaque and accolades recognizing Balog’s two-year stint as board chairman. Allen said Balog, 61, was worthy of the recognition. The plaque issued to Balog read: “Presented to Allen …