News

AAA says it expects that more than 1.5 million people in Michigan will travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving holiday. The auto club says Tuesday it would be the most travelers since 2007 and a 2 percent increase from last year. Reasons cited include improvements in the economy during the second half of the year, including rising …

Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department last week arrested a Three Rivers man on several charges after he attempted to flee from authorities. A deputy working Wednesday for the village of Centreville attempted to stop a vehicle with a stolen plate. The suspect refused to stop his vehicle and drove through a number of parking lots, according to …

The fifth annual “Sharing the Magic” benefit, staged Saturday at Colon Elementary School, attracted more than 40 people, raised $149 and generated four cases of food. Lena Fitch, director of the Colon/Leonidas Food Pantry, said Saturday’s contributions are a boost for the pantry. Six acts were showcased during the 90-minute performance. Led by master of ceremonies John Sherwood, the cast …

A trailer was stolen last week from a residence in Lockport Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the agency responded at 1:40 a.m. Tuesday to the 57000 block of Holtom Road. Investigators said it appears the suspects broke the lock off the trailer hitch, then left the scene heading southbound on Holtom Road. The trailer dislodged from the …

The St. Joseph County Farm Bureau held its annual meeting recently at Sturges-Young Auditorium and several awards were presented. The 2016 Outstanding Young Ag Leader award went to Nathan Mumby of Leonidas, while the Outstanding Young Farm Employee award went to Riley Brazo of Sturgis. Each also was recognized as being Young Farmer District 1 Discussion Meet Participants. Drew Bordner …

Authorities have identified two bicyclists injured when a pickup truck struck them as they rode with two other bicyclists in southwestern Michigan. The Kalamazoo County sheriff’s department says 50-year-old Mathew Sides of Plainwell and 44-year-old Andrea Fore of Kalamazoo suffered non-life-threatening injuries. They were struck Thursday night in Alamo Township. The pickup’s driver did not stop. Valerie Litznerski was among …

Police officers have pulled a man from a Calhoun County river after his car plunged into the waterway. WOOD-TV reports that the car went into the Kalamazoo River in Battle Creek shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday. The driver was out of the car and floating down the river when officers arrived. He told officers that he couldn’t swim. The television station …

An Eaton Rapids man has found the author of a note dropped into a bottle and sent into the Grand River 35 years ago. Nathan Foote found the bottle last week while he was cleaning debris out of the water near the Smithville Dam, the Lansing State Journal reported. It was covered in duck weed and was brown with age, …

A Michigan man who authorities say was trying to return more than 10,000 cans and bottles for 10 cents apiece is avoiding jail time. The Livingston Daily Press & Argus of Howell reports Brian Edward Everidge of Columbiaville was ordered Thursday to pay $1,230 in fines and court costs following his earlier guilty plea to one count of beverage return …

Organizers behind the annual benefit, “Share the Magic,” are looking for a dose of community spirit this weekend, as the fifth annual food and fundraiser takes place Saturday. The 7 p.m. production will be at Colon Elementary School. Admission is a non-perishable item or a financial donation. Rick Fisher, who has a hand in organizing this year’s show, said all …