News

The city of Sturgis has approved a new, three-year contract with its 13-member electrical workers union. The deal includes annual pay raises, but places new caps on the city’s long-term retirement legacy costs. City electrical linemen will get a $2.25-an-hour pay raise. All members will get a 1.5 percent boost this year and 2 percent more in each of the …

A Cassopolis man died Wednesday afternoon in a crash in Cass County’s Mason Township. The victim was identified as 72-year-old Wayne Owen. He was reportedly northbound on Cassopolis Road when his vehicle left the road and struck a tree. According to Owen’s family, he had a history of heart related illness. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

As moderating temperatures melt snow and ice on Michigan lakes, officials are warning people to be prepared for the unpleasant sight of dead fish and other aquatic animals. Fisheries habitat specialist Chris Freiburger of the Department of Natural Resources says it’s common for many fish, turtles, frogs, toads and crayfish to die over the winter — especially when there’s been …

Authorities in Allegan County say they’re trying to find homes for more than 100 cats that were turned over to an animal shelter. Undersheriff Frank Baker says a couple in the Otsego area started feeding stray cats and the animals reproduced at a speedy rate. The Kalamazoo Gazette reports the cats became costly to feed, so they reached out to …

Several vehicles and a house were destroyed by a grass fire that spread out of control Sunday. Constantine firefighters were called at 1 p.m. to the 62000 block of Youngs Prairie Road in Constantine Township for a grass fire. First-arriving personnel found the fire had spread across the property. In all, about 12 vehicles were burned in addition to the …

A Coldwater family escaped serious injury late Sunday afternoon after its SUV was struck at the intersection of U.S. 12 and Big Hill Road. Michigan State Police troopers said a vehicle driven by a 25-year-old Sturgis woman was southbound on Big Hill Road when she failed to yield and struck the SUV, which was eastbound on U.S.12. The force of …

Further details regarding a car/semi accident in the Three Rivers area this week are expected to be released any day by the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department. The incident occurred at 5:17 a.m. Tuesday at U.S. 131 and Broadway Street in Lockport Township. In a preliminary report, deputies said a car driven eastbound on Broadway failed to stop at a …

A 35-year-old Colon man, who was later found to be on probation from Eaton County, was arrested last week on drug-related charges in Leonidas Township. State police officials were called to the 50000 block of Fulton Road, where the man was reported to be acting in a disorderly manner and refused to leave the residence. Troopers found that the man …

A female bald eagle has been released after recovering from injuries received during a fatal fight with a competitor northwest of Flint. Bruce Beatty, a licensed bird of prey rehabilitator, says it appears the birds were fighting in mid-air Monday when they locked talons and plummeted into the Flint River. The Flint Journal reports onlookers were able to quickly retrieve …

Deputies from St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department engaged in a vehicle pursuit over the weekend. According to a department media release, deputies attempted to stop a vehicle Sunday on Broadway Road, near Krull Road in Fabius Township, for multiple traffic violations. The pursuit was ended on Coon Hollow Road, near Avery Road, where deputies lost sight of the vehicle. However, …