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Amazon.com and some other online retailers would have to collect Michigan’s 6 percent sales tax on purchases under legislation approved by the state Senate.  Backers say the bills would level the playing field because brick-and-mortar businesses already must assess the tax on customers.  The legislation passed Thursday heads to the Republican-led House for its consideration in the waning days of …

A recount confirms that Republican Margaret O’Brien narrowly beat Democrat Sean McCann in the race for the 20th District state Senate seat in Kalamazoo County. The recount completed Wednesday concludes that O’Brien got 61 more votes than McCann. He asked for the recount after the original count showed him losing by 59 votes in the Nov. 4 election. Both candidates …

St. Joseph County administrator Pat Yoder has recommended a Mendon woman to fill the role of county human resources director. During Wednesday’s committee-of-the-whole meeting, Yoder nominated Teresa Doehring to fill the position left vacant since last month. Elishia Arver stepped down from the post to take a human resources job in the private sector. Yoder said the committee – which …

Centreville and Mendon have become the fourth and fifth local school districts to contract with the St. Joseph County Intermediate School District for business-management services. ISD Board of Trustees this week approved a six-month contract with the two districts to handle financial services, ranging from budgeting to cash flow forecasting and bonding oversight. ISD officials said the two local school …

Two counterfeit $20 bills were found in a customer’s deposit at First-Merit Bank, according to Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce. The bills have the same serial number and no hologram on the bottom right of the bill. Area officials are advising the public to be especially aware of bills $20 and larger, which have a tendency to surface during the …

Mendon Community Schools has become the third district in the county to raise its full-day pay for substitute teachers. Members of the district’s board of education Monday approved the full-day increase from $80 to $85. The move comes two weeks after Centreville Public Schools took an identical course of action, and more than a month after Three Rivers Community Schools …

The second of two candidates for the position of St. Joseph County human resources director is expected to confirm an interview date this week. County administrator Pat Yoder said the two finalists were chosen from a group of four people interviewed for the post. A total of 26 people applied for the job, which has been vacant since Elishia Arver …

Indiana Michigan Power has issued a media release to help its customers from falling victim to a phone scam. Electric-utility customers continue to be targeted by scammers who falsely represent themselves as company personnel in an attempt to collect money. In most cases, customers are contacted by phone and the caller threatens to cut off electric service if money is …

A 22-year-old man was arrested following a traffic-related incident Sunday. Sturgis police pulled over the driver of a Mustang near on Fawn River Road near South Centerville Road for an equipment violation. The driver of the Mustang attempted to switch into the passenger seat, and during the process, engaged the vehicle into reverse, according to police. The Mustang backed into …

Michigan lawmakers are breathing new life into bills that would force retailers such as Amazon.com to collect the state’s sales tax on Internet purchases.  The House on Tuesday prepared the legislation for a possible vote as early as Wednesday. Similar bills are pending in the Senate after a committee approved them last week.  Retailers with stores in Michigan must collect …