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Authorities say they’re investigating the death of a woman whose body was found alongside a rural southwestern Michigan road as suspicious. The Kalamazoo County sheriff’s department says in a statement that the body of 32-year-old Gabrielle Irene Smith of Plainwell was found Tuesday afternoon in Texas Township. The cause and circumstances of her death are under investigation Thursday. Smith’s body …

A 50-year-old driver of a pickup truck that struck a group of bicyclists killing five of them was charged Thursday with five counts of second degree murder. Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeffrey Getting also charged Charles Pickett Jr. of Battle Creek on Thursday with four counts of reckless driving in the crash Tuesday that injured four others in Cooper Township north …

The chair of the St. Joseph County Conservation District is encouraging people to learn more about the hemp plant and its diversity of uses. Carol Higgins said a great opportunity exists later this week, when the Rivieria Theatre in Three Rivers will show “Grow Our Future,” a short-feature film. Higgins said the 52-minute movie focuses on the numerous ways industrial …

A matter regarding streets and sidewalks in Three Rivers will appear before the city’s voters in November. Mayor Tom Lowry and city commission members Tuesday agreed to seek renewal of 3.7 mills. The millage has allowed the city to maintain and improve city streets and sidewalks since it was first approved 15 years ago. If approved, the November request would …

Retired Constantine Public Schools superintendent Chuck Frisbie was honored Tuesday during a luncheon at the high school, the district’s last day of the academic year. Frisbie was presented with a special-commendation award from the state, signed by Rep. Aaron Miller, U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, state Sen. John Proos and Gov. Rick Snyder. The 54-year-old Frisbie also received a plaque from …

They called themselves “The Chain Gang” — a group of bicyclists drawn together by zest for their sport, physical fitness and love of the outdoors whose day trip in the southwestern Michigan countryside ended tragically as a pickup truck plowed into them, killing five and injuring four others. Stunned biking enthusiasts joined relatives and friends of the riders Wednesday in …

Authorities say a 79-year-old woman died after her bicycle struck a horse-drawn carriage on Michigan’s Mackinac Island. Island police Chief Brett Riccinto said Gail Johnson of Llano, Texas, was bicycling on Main Street near the public library Tuesday afternoon. He says it appears she “veered over and … drove right into the carriage.” Riccinto says her head hit a crossbar …

A Michigan man charged with killing six strangers in between picking up riders for Uber is expected to use insanity as a defense. Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting said Monday that Jason Dalton’s defense attorney says he will file a notice of intent. Once the notice is filed, the state will be ordered to perform a psychiatric evaluation of Dalton …

Some minor but important changes to the county’s fund-balance designations were made by commissioners Tuesday. Finance director Joni Smith said one of the two moves provides assurance that the county won’t have to borrow money when treasurer Judie Ratering conducts the annual delinquent-tax process. The delinquent-tax process needs $6 million every year to cash flow itself, Smith said, so keeping …

Organizers of the Three Rivers Water Festival said an opportunity to save money on armbands for rides at next week’s event is available for another week. Rides and games require tickets purchased at the midway site in the West City parking lot at a cost of $18 per person. Advanced sales for the armband tickets are available for $15 until …