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With today the opening of the 2015-16 academic year for Michigan’s public schools, State Rep. Aaron Miller is encouraging parents to discuss bus-safety with their children and urging drivers to be aware of school-bus laws. Miller said parents should include a discussion about bus safety as part of the back-to-school routine with their children. Also, parents whose children walk to …

A motorcycle was reported stolen last week from a residence in Fabius Township. St. Joseph County Sheriff’s deputies said the lime green 2008 Kawasaki KLX 450 was taken from the 15000 block of Null Road in the early morning hours of Sept. 2. In addition, several vehicles were entered and items stolen. Investigators said residents are encouraged to lock their …

Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County is seeking candidates to be Habitat partner families. Habitat plans to have three homes available for occupancy by families by June 2016 – one each in Sturgis, White Pigeon and Three Rivers. Chris Amones, a Habitat board member and chairperson of the Family Selection/ Partnering Committee said in partnership with a working family, Habitat …

The Michigan Department of Transportation has announced that starting Tuesday, it will be repaving more than four miles of state routes in three locations within St. Joseph County. MDOT’s Nick Schirripa said the work will take place on US-12 from Wallowa Road to Klinger Lake Road in White Pigeon Township; M-60 from the east village limits of Mendon to M-66 …

Sturgis city commissioners have amended shutoff rules for city utilities to conform to new technology and state law. With the installation of new “smart meters,” the city will have the capability to remotely turn on and shut off electric and water utilities. The city must make at least two attempts to contact delinquent customers at least one day before shutoff …

Three Rivers Health has announced its affiliation with the St. John Providence Health System, Borgess Medical Center and St. Mary’s of Michigan Telemedicine network. The affiliation means patients of Three Rivers Health will have direct access to a telemedicine network of neuroscience specialists by calling one phone number any time day or night. Staff at Three Rivers Health will then be …

St. Joseph County commissioners last week heard from two people regarding an excessive number of obstructions in area rivers posing hurdles for canoers and kayakers. Grant Wolf, representing the recently launched St. Joe H2O website, said video footage is planned to be shot this fall, and he would prefer to not have it feature images of blocked waterways. Meanwhile, John …

Authorities in southwestern Michigan say they’ve confirmed that at least three vehicles have been hit with gunfire since mid-August on two major highways. The Calhoun County sheriff’s office says the shootings occurred Aug. 19 and Wednesday on Interstate 94 and Thursday on Interstate 69. The last incident involved a semi-truck that was stopped north of Marshall. There were no injuries. …

The 71-year-old Constantine-area man who was found dead at his residence Tuesday has been identified as Lavern Chupp. Investigators were called shortly after 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to a residence in the 13000 block of Riverside Drive in Constantine Township after Chupp’s body was found by a family member. Results from an autopsy performed Wednesday morning have not yet been released.

A Consumers Energy official said the company is sending notice to its customers regarding a plan to install new electric meters. The task is to be undertaken later this month, according to the company’s communications director, Dennis McKee. McKee addressed St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Tuesday in an effort to spread word about the project. He said the company …