News

An undisclosed amount of cocaine and more than $700 in cash was seized during a traffic stop last week in Cass County. An officer from the Ontwa Township Edwardsburg Police Department pulled over a motorist shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday for a speeding violation. Chief Tim Kozal said a 20-year-old resident of South Bend was arrested for no license and possession of cocaine. …

State Rep. Aaron Miller, a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, has called for an investigation and opinion of the latest crisis in the city of Flint regarding cost savings pertaining to garbage collection. Miller expressed concern in his letter to Attorney General Bill Schuette that fiscal frugality is not being exercised in Flint and whether the law is …

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed the first human case of West Nile Virus reported in the state for 2016. The person is an older adult and resides in Livingston County. The Branch-Hillsdale St. Joseph Community Health Agency is encouraging residents to take simple precautions that can help prevent mosquito bites. Precautions include practicing the three R’s: Remove standing …

Operations at a Three Rivers-based adult foster-care residence are in limbo as a result of a state investigation. According to the Kalamazoo Gazette, the license of operator Shoheli Talukder could be revoked by the Michigan Department Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and the Bureau of Community and Health Systems. The agencies last week issued an order of summary suspension and notice …

People representing charities and nonprofits who stand in roadways to collect money from drivers are concerned after the Michigan attorney general said the solicitations aren’t legal. Attorney General Bill Schuette recently gave a formal opinion to a lawmaker, saying Michigan’s traffic code doesn’t allow it. Portage and Texas Township firefighters canceled a fundraiser this week in Texas Township, near Kalamazoo, …

Ann Arbor is banning the sale of tobacco to people under 21. City Council voted 9-2 on Thursday to give final approval to an ordinance raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products in the city from 18. It’s joining the Tobacco 21 movement, which has been embraced by other communities in the U.S. The Ann Arbor News reports it …

As a young biologist at the University of Michigan, Chen Xiaowei had plenty to like about life in the U.S. He was paid well as a researcher and enjoyed raising his family in Ann Arbor, a town he remembers as beautiful, friendly and highly educated. But an offer from a Chinese university for him to return home to Beijing was …

State troopers risked getting sprayed by a skunk to help the animal get free of a yogurt container that was stuck on its head in suburban Detroit. The troopers were dispatched Thursday morning to see if they could help the skunk, which was running in circles in Oakland County’s Royal Oak Township. In a statement, state police say the animal …

A boil-water notice has been issued for Lockport Township residents following an equipment malfunction of its water-system infrastructure. The notice was issued Sunday by Jennifer Ransbottom, director of utility management services for Jones Petrie Rafinski. According to the order, the township’s water system lost pressure over the weekend due to an equipment malfunction. Consequently, neither of two wells activated to …

Two Illinois residents were injured in a two-vehicle accident earlier this week in Fabius Township. State police said troopers were called shortly before 7 p.m. Wednesday to the intersection of Hoffman and Lucas roads. Investigators said a 21-year-old woman from Brookfield was driving north on Lucas Road when she disobeyed a stop sign. Her vehicle struck a car heading east …