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The House Education Reform Committee this week unanimously approved state Rep. Aaron Miller’s legislation to eliminate a professional teaching certification mandate, giving instructors more choice and time to work on classroom quality. Miller said new teachers need to teach, not go back into the classroom for more studying and more testing after recently finishing college to get new certifications. Currently, …

I am Bootsy, a longhair tuxedo, five year old, spayed female.  I also am an amputee.  I am missing a front left leg and I kind of roll along.  I am loving, good with dogs, cats and kids.  Come in and see me.  I am looking for my new forever home. My docket number is BIO18-000027, at the St. Joseph …

St. Joseph County United Way reached unprecedented heights in its 2018 fundraising campaign. During Tuesday’s “Victory Celebration” at Covered Bridge Farm County Park, the agency announced its annual campaign for the first time topped the million-dollar threshold. Co-chair of the 2018 campaign Mark Lillywhite said the final tally was $1,034,573. The total exceeded the goal of $911,000. United Way director …

St. Joseph County Planning Commission member Joe Woodin was appointed to the Southcentral Michigan Planning Council this week. The move was approved by the county commission during its meeting Tuesday. Woodin, a Marcellus-area resident, replaces Mendon resident Lon Huffman, who has stepped down from the post. Woodin’s appointment was endorsed Jan. 31 by the county planning commission. His term expires …

An agreement between St. Joseph County and MSU Extension was renewed by county commissioners Tuesday. The $126,000 contract will continue the services the county receives from MSU Extension. The allocation was budgeted and comes out of the county’s general fund. MSU Extension’s services include programs related to agriculture and agribusiness, 4-H, health and nutrition, and community and economic development.

The Michigan House this week approved State Rep. Aaron Miller’s bill protecting surviving spouses from penalties related to the state’s pension tax. Miller said the goal is to make sure a surviving spouse is not burdened with higher taxes when their older partner passes away. He said it’s the right thing to do so seniors aren’t saddled with higher and …

Colon’s municipal officials are reconsidering a plan to sell a piece of village-owned property on which a Dollar General would like to develop a store. During a village council special meeting Tuesday, nearly a dozen people urged the seven-member panel to table the matter and hold off on selling the parcel at 210 W. South St., referred to as “the …

The Schoolcraft Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect and vehicle in a larceny from a local business. Chief Bryan Campbell said the incident occurred at 12:10 p.m. Friday in the 400 block of East Lyon Street, where a white male, described as being in his mid-40s to early 50s, entered the business. There was …

St. Joseph County’s board of commissioners on Tuesday approved a letter of understanding that will allow it to offer severance packages to employees expected to be laid off. County administrator Teresa Doehring said the county’s financial situation warrants a look at every possible option it can exercise to save money. She said the 2018 budget was approved with a $1.6 million gap. …

Students of school districts along state borders will have more dual enrollment education options after Gov. Rick Snyder on Tuesday signed into law legislation by State Rep. Aaron Miller. The new law amends the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act with the stipulation that the out-of-state post-secondary education and dual enrollment school must be within 20 miles of the shared border for students …