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State officials say the 40th cougar report in Michigan since 2008 has been confirmed. The confirmation was made after an image of a cougar was captured Aug. 17 on a trail camera on public land in the Upper Peninsula’s Delta County. Michigan Department of Natural Resources large-carnivore specialist Cody Norton visited the area and substantiated the report. Another trail camera …

A Dowagiac woman was injured after she fell asleep while driving on M-60 in Cass County’s Newberg Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 9 a.m. Thursday to a location on M-60 near Bair Lake Road, where a car driven by 22-year-old Jaquline Hand struck a semi tractor-trailer. Investigators found that Hand was driving west on M-60 when …

The largest suicide-prevention conference for mental-health professionals is coming up next month. The online webinar is free for mental-health professionals. Live sessions take place Sept. 14 and 15, and are available to stream on-demand Sept. 16 through 29. Presentations will feature a line-up of suicide-prevention experts from around the world. Participants can earn up to 10 hours of NBCC-approved CE …

Members of the Magic City Players are a week away from their second performance of the 2019 season. “A Bad Year for Tomatoes” will feature an all-local cast of talent. Performances are 7 p.m. Sept. 6 and 7, and a matinee performance will begin at 3 p.m. Sept. 8. More information is available through the Magic City Players’ Facebook page.

The city of Sturgis has set an open house to provide information to property owners along possible routes for the radial 69 kV transmission line into Sherman Township. The event is scheduled for 5:30-7 p.m. Sept. 18 in Dresser Business Development Center at Glen Oaks Community College. There are three possible routes proposed for the transmission line: • Centerville Road, Featherstone …

A top Democratic lawmaker says Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s proposed 45-cents-a-gallon fuel tax increase is dead, and proposals such as raising the corporate income tax and taxing heavy trucks must be in the mix. House Minority Leader Christine Greig said Thursday that with majority Republicans vehemently opposing the 45-cent plan, there are alternative ways to raise revenue without having to increase …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District has issued a reminder that its annual Local Food Dinner will be Sept. 11. An allotment of just 200 tickets will be made available for the $25-per-person event. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. and dinner is served at 6 p.m., according to event organizers. The four-course meal, which will feature locally-sourced food prepared by …

Cass County Sheriff’s deputies were called earlier this month to a single-vehicle accident on Pokagon Highway. According to Sheriff Richard Behnke, deputies were dispatched around 11 p.m. Aug. 15 to an area in the vicinity of Pokagon Highway and Oak Grove Road in LaGrange Township. Ardee Joseph-Louis Mabry, 36, of Battle Creek, told authorities he was driving east on Pokagon …

Gerald R. Ford International Airport in western Michigan will add eight passenger gates during a $90 million expansion that is expected to create hundreds of jobs. The airport’s governing board says “Project Elevate” will enhance the airport and make more flights available to the public. The money will come from bonds, government grants and passenger fees. The Grand Rapids airport …

State Sen. Kim LaSata on Tuesday applauded four Southwest Michigan communities, including three in St. Joseph County, for being awarded competitive grants through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s “Site Readiness Improvement Program.” According to MEDC, the grants were awarded through a new “Michigan Build Ready Sites Program,” which aims to boost the state’s inventory of available properties ready to compete for …