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A large mass of grasses and other vegetation has been swept into a western Michigan lake, creating what one professor calls a “bizarre” floating island. Norton Shores photographer Joe Gee shot video of the floating vegetation Thursday in Muskegon Lake using an aerial drone. His footage shows a pontoon boat circling the island and looking small by comparison. “I’ve lived …

A Battle Creek man has been charged in the March death of a woman who police believe was fatally shot in her home before her body was burned along a remote road. Jose Juarez, 26, was arrested Thursday and charged with open murder, mutilation of a dead body and three other counts in the death of Alison Sargent, a 25-year-old …

A 62-year-old woman died in a hit-and-run incident Thursday in the parking lot at the Three Rivers Meijer. Three Rivers Police were called shortly after 1 p.m. in response to a pedestrian struck by a car. Witnesses told investigators the driver ran the victim over and continued from the scene. Officers are looking for a black 2015 body style Chevrolet …

Albeit bare-bones, there will be a Fourth of July celebration in St. Joseph County after all. Members of the Constantine Village Council this week discussed plans related to an Independence Day parade and fireworks display. The council had discussed funding the fireworks at several recent meetings. This week, however, the legality of having an Independence Day celebration came into question. …

Three Rivers Health officials said staff members are calling patients, and establishing previously scheduled surgeries and procedures that were postponed. Hospital administrators said many patients have delayed care for several weeks and chronic conditions can potentially worsen if left unmanaged. The hospital’s health and safety steps include screening everyone upon entry, limiting visitors, requiring everyone to wear a mask, practicing …

Three fresh-food distributions are on tap in St. Joseph County. Fabius Township will host the next event. It takes place 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Three Rivers High School. White Pigeon has a distribution planned for next week. The two-hour event starts at 4 p.m. Tuesday at White Pigeon High School. Finally, the Doyle Community Center in Sturgis will …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating two breaking-and-entering incidents in Branch County. According to a department media release, the first incident occurred between 4 and 7 p.m. April 20 in the 300 block of Teds Drive in Coldwater Township. Items reported stolen include a Dewalt impact drill, two rechargeable chain saws, a Samsung tablet, and an Xbox. The other incident …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday extended Michigan’s coronavirus emergency declaration through July 16, enabling her to keep intact certain business closures, longer unemployment benefits and other changes after she previously lifted a stay-at-home order. The Democratic governor — who has been gradually reopening the state — hopes to let gyms, movie theaters and bowling alleys restart by July 4. They …

The state of Michigan has lifted the suspension of a barber’s license, but he still faces a hearing for cutting hair while shops and salons were closed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. An administrative law judge on Tuesday granted the state’s request to lift Karl Manke’s suspension. Regulators said an “imminent threat” to public health no longer exists at the Owosso barbershop. …

A “Juneteenth” community event is scheduled to take place 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at Free Church Park in Sturgis. Sturgis City Commission members last week approved use of the park for the event. Elise Taylor and fellow organizer Angie Wilson told commissioners “Juneteenth” is a celebration of freedom and African American history, celebrating the day Union troops rode into …