News

Michigan State Police has joined almost 200 law-enforcement agencies nationwide in the Angel Program, a pre-arrest diversion program to assist people struggling with addiction and reduce drug demand. The Angel Program allows someone with a drug addiction to walk into a state police post to seek help for their addiction, without the fear of arrest or investigation. As of this …

A woman was injured as the result of a traffic crash early Wednesday at Wait and North Centerville roads in Sturgis. According to police, a 35-year-old Kalamazoo man was driving eastbound at a high speed on Wait Road and was unable to stop at North Centerville Road, crashing into a field. A passenger, a 30-year-old Sturgis woman, suffered a leg …

A 10-year-old Indiana boy was injured following a tubing accident over the holiday weekend on a lake in Cass County’s Marcellus Township. Deputies were called to Red Run Street at Fish Lake regarding the welfare of a boy from Granger, Ind. The boy was riding on a tube when he fell off after it struck a wave. The victim fell …

A 60-year-old Three Rivers man with previous drunken-driving violations was arrested this week after causing an accident in Lockport Township. Sheriff’s deputies were called at 5 p.m. Wednesday to the intersection of U.S. 131 and North Main Street. According to a department media release, the man turned left and into the path of a southbound vehicle driven by a 55-year-old …

St. Joseph County residents can once again dial 211 for various forms of assistance. The service was not in operation for a while but resumed Saturday, according to Kelly Hostetler, executive director of the St. Joseph County United Way. Hostetler said 211 is a free call for help, information and referral service. It is a central access point that people …

State Reps. Aaron Miller and Jim Tedder detailed their legislation to protect Michigan residents who play fantasy sports. The bills update state law to keep pace with evolving technology and maintain the legality of fantasy sports services such as FanDuel, DraftKings, Yahoo and others. Miller said Michigan residents already are playing these games, and he would like legislators to make …

Southern Michigan Bank and Trust officials wish to advise the public that the lobby of its office on U.S. 131 in Three Rivers is closed for renovations. Drive-thru lanes, however, will remain open during the anticipated three-month project. SMBT will be installing a deal drawer during this transition, giving business customers the ability to go through the inside lane and …

A community college in southwestern Michigan is expanding its nursing and health education building in an attempt to combat a growing shortage of nurses that seems particularly acute in the area. Southwestern Michigan College has launched a $9.6 million initiative to more than double the size of the nearly 50-year-old building. Work is expected to begin this summer to update …

Kalamazoo County has decided to create an identification card program for residents who lack documents needed to get a state ID. The Kalamazoo Gazette reports the county Board of Commissioners’ 6-5 vote Wednesday was split along party lines, but the Democratic majority approved a resolution creating the program. The resolution authorizes an initial budget of $60,000 to begin the program …

Authorities say a man has died after being thrown from a personal watercraft and hit by the vehicle at a lake in southwestern Michigan. The crash happened Tuesday at Magician Lake in Cass County. The sheriff’s department says 28-year-old Derek Jackson of Gobles hit a wave and was thrown from the watercraft. He was taken to a hospital in South …