News

It’s going to cost Michigan State University students more to live on the East Lansing campus next year. The MSU Board of Trustees Friday approved a $320 increase in room and board rates. MSU officials say the 3.5 percent increase will offset higher operating expenses and to help pay off debt from the top-to-bottom renovations of many residence and dining halls undertaken …

An alert was issued to students at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo Thursday after a student was robbed at gunpoint in one of the dorms. Campus Police say two men stole several items from the victim at Smith Burnham Hall and then escaped through a stairwell. There are security cameras in the residence hall. The robbers are described as black males, 19-20 …

The Michigan Department of Transportation says there have been more than 40,000 downloads of the free Mi Drive traffic information app since it was introduced in November 2014. State Transportation Director Kirk Steudle says Mi Drive uses Intelligent Transportation Systems technology, speed sensors, cameras and cell phone data to provide motorists with up-to-date construction information, traffic incidents, traffic cams, and weather-related …

The Michigan appeals court has affirmed the conviction of a northern Michigan man who kept a state trooper’s gun that was found in a grocery store restroom. Authorities say Tim Flanagan of Kalkaska County knew the gun probably belonged to an officer when he found it at a Glen’s store in 2013. Police investigating an unrelated matter many weeks later …

The St. Joseph County Road Commission hopes to proceed with plans to seek a 3-mill request for road improvements in every municipal entity in the county. Details of the plan and the Centreville-based agency’s financial state were presented Thursday to St. Joseph County’s township supervisors at their quarterly meeting in White Pigeon. David Yunker, a member of the road commission …

Violet Sears has been named associate of the quarter at Sturgis Hospital. Sears has been an employee of Sturgis Hospital for more than 11 years and works as an LPN in the specialty clinics and pain management center. Associate of the quarter is given to an employee who provides superior customer service and exemplifies a dedication to serve others in …

A third person has been charged in the murders of a southwest Michigan couple nearly 13 years ago. 44-year-old Timothy Andrews was arraigned Wednesday in Van Buren County District Court in Paw Paw on two counts of open murder. 66-year old Carlin Noble and his 57-year old wife Roberta were found dead in their burned-out home in Lawton in August 2002. Andrews’ then-girlfriend …

A Dowagiac man was found dead after being involved in a single-car accident at 3 a.m. Wednesday in Wayne Township. Cass County Sheriff Joe Underwood said deputies responded to Lakeview Drive, near Woodlawn Road, after a witness had contacted central dispatch to advise that he had come upon a vehicle off the roadway. Underwood said John Shilney, 74, was unresponsive …

A few spaces remain for employers to participate in a job fair, which takes place 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 23 at Glen Oaks Community College. The event, typically the largest job fair in St. Joseph County, is made possible through a partnership between Michigan Works, St. Joseph County Department of Human Services and Glen Oaks Community College. Details …

A Cassopolis man missing since last week on Diamond Lake was found alive Tuesday morning on the shore of Diamond Island. Cass County Sheriff Joe Underwood Jr. said Kurt DeYoung was located not far from where his pontoon boat was recovered. Underwood said DeYoung indicated that his boat motor quit working while he was fishing last Wednesday. DeYoung told authorities his …