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State Rep. Aaron Miller has introduced legislation to more equally designate funds for county mental health services throughout the state. Miller introduced a similar bill last session that had hearings before the House Appropriations Committee, but never made it to the House floor. The bill changes the way money is distributed to Community Mental Health Service Programs based on criteria …

Antler mounts, furniture and various tools were stolen Jan. 22 from a pole barn in the 800 block of Dunks Road in Branch County’s Sherwood Township. The incident was investigated last week by state police authorities. A department media release did not indicate the manner in which access was gained.

A self-service book station at Wade Park will serve as the legacy of a longtime patron of the White Pigeon Township Library. The late Marge Randall is memorialized by the Little Free Library, a stand filled with about 20 books available for the taking. Perri Saunders, executive director of the White Pigeon Township Library, said she was long familiar with …

A permanent memorial is being planned to honor the victims and survivors of a shooting rampage last year in the Kalamazoo area. Specifics about the memorial will be shared at a candlelight vigil on Feb. 20, the one-year anniversary of the incident. The vigil will also pay tribute to law enforcement and first responders. Six people were killed and two …

A former Western Michigan University football player facing armed robbery and home invasion charges has testified the crime was his co-defendant’s idea. Nineteen-year-old Ronald George of Pittsburgh testified Tuesday in Kalamazoo County District Court in a preliminary examination for 18-year-old Bryson White of Mason, Ohio. The two were due to play for the Broncos last fall, but were dismissed from …

Two people were arrested on drug-related offenses last week in Three Rivers. According to a Three Rivers Police Department media release, a vehicle containing three people was stopped Friday at the intersection of South Main and Mechanic streets. The vehicle was involved in an ongoing drug investigation in Three Rivers, according to authorities. K9 Django was summoned and confirmed the …

St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough is expected to disqualify himself today from trying a former Centreville teacher charged with 107 counts of allegedly touching three female students inappropriately. McDonough, during a conference Friday, requested another delay in the trial of Terry Miller, 47, of Centreville. Miller’s trial had been scheduled to begin next week before St. Joseph County Circuit …

State police are investigating what is being called a suspicious fire stemming from an incident last month in Fawn River Township. Coated copper wire was found to be burning at 7 a.m. Jan. 25 in a forested area on private property in the area of Freedom and Carls roads, according to a department media release.

State Rep. Aaron Miller last week joined his colleagues in support of bipartisan legislation that gives people access to public records and makes state government more accountable to the public. Miller took part in a Capitol news conference as an 11-bill package was unveiled. The package will subject the governor and lieutenant governor to provisions of the Freedom of Information …

The St. Joseph County United Way set a new record for its annual collection campaign. Executive director Kelly Hostetler said $887,526 was raised during the Centreville-based agency’s 12-month effort that concluded Tuesday. The total surpassed the year’s goal of $875,000 and continues a several-years trend of the local United Way surpassing its annual goal. The campaign’s top donor was Morgan …