News

Plans to begin pursuing a major addition to a portion of the St. Joseph County Courthouse were approved Tuesday by members of the county commission. The idea calls for a two-story addition to the west side of the current courts building. Each floor of the proposed rectangular-shaped addition would exceed more than 7,000 square feet and be designated for circuit, …

In light of Mendon Community Schools voting Monday to not renew the contract of Superintendent Rob Kuhlman for the 2015-16 academic year, Centreville Public Schools will have some decisions to make. Mark Trowbridge, president of the Centreville Board of Education, said the district’s position will be a topic of conversation at its 6:30 p.m. board meeting Monday. The neighboring districts …

All seven members of the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority Board were reappointed to serve two more years following action this week by the county commission. The terms of every board member expire April 1, prompting the county commission to act on the reappointment Tuesday, their last meeting before the first of the month. Returning to the transportation authority board …

Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched last week to Mottville Township in response to a stolen semi tractor. The incident, which was reported last Friday, occurred in the 69000 block of M-103 in Mottville Township. The semi is a blue 1994 Peterbilt with the words “TMX Industries LLC White Pigeon” on both doors.

New research out of Michigan State University could help save the lives of children with a deadly form of malaria.​ ​The MSU study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, says researchers have discovered what causes the death of children with cerebral malaria, the deadliest form of the disease.​ ​MSU osteopathic physician Terrie Taylor says her research team discovered …

The Michigan High School Athletic Association will begin a pilot program this fall using a new test to check for concussions in athletes. Executive Director Jack Roberts told WOOD-TV that anyone suspected of “getting their bell rung” will be asked to look at cards, or an iPad and read some numbers. The time to answer will be compared to a “test …

Images of Michigan death records from the 1920s and ’30s, including the 1926 death certificate of performer Harry Houdini, are now available online. The records are being made available by the Archives of Michigan, which is charged with preserving records of government and other public institutions. Its website is seekingmichigan.org . Death certificates from 1897 to 1920 were previously available. …

A charge of felony embezzlement has been leveled against Three Rivers High School teacher Sara Freeman following her initial court appearance Monday. District Court Judge Jeff Middleton handled the preliminaries of the case, which involves the alleged embezzlement of more than $20,000. Freeman, 33, is a language arts teacher at the school. But in her additional capacity as yearbook advisor, …

Three people were taken to Three Rivers Health following a three-vehicle crash caused by a suspected drugged driver Tuesday morning in Three Rivers. The person responsible for the incident, which took place at the intersection of South Main and Liberty streets, faces charges of driving under the influence of drugs and child endangerment, according to Three Rivers police. Investigators said …

A former teacher in Three Rivers and Constantine has entered a plea of no contest related to two charges of criminal sexual conduct. David Wing, 59, who also served as an administrator with Marcellus Community Schools, made his plea Monday in St. Joseph County Circuit Court before Judge Paul Stutesman. Wing’s no-contest pleas were in connection to one count of …