State sheds 8 judgeships

LANSING — Gov. Rick Snyder Thursday signed legislation that clarifies definitions and strengthens compensation requirements and programs for crime victims.
Sponsored by state Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker, Senate Bills 535, 536, 537 and 538 are now Public Acts 293-296 of 2011.
The governor also signed:
• House Bill 5105, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Cotter, will eliminate and consolidate certain probate, circuit or district court judgeships in targeted areas based on judicial need reports.
Eight judgeships will be eliminated in the following geographies: Wayne; Sanilac; Clinton; Manistee and Benzie; Calhoun; River Rouge/Ecorse/Lincoln Park; Oakland; and Lapeer. The bill is now P.A. 300 of 2011.
• S.B. 197, sponsored by state Sen. Roger Kahn, provides state school aid supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2011 and makes changes in several lines to reflect actual costs and payouts necessary to close Fiscal Year 2011. The bill is now P.A. 299 of 2011.
• H.B. 5087, sponsored by state Rep. Margaret O’Brien, amends the Michigan Liquor Control Code to remove the barrel production limit and allow a brewer not licensed as a micro brewer to sell its beer for on-premises consumption at one licensed brewery location. The bill is now P.A. 298 of 2011.

Leader Columnists

Cains: Opinion is not news

Crime/Court

Niles man gets probation for sending explicit photo to minor

Community News

Dowagiac, Edwardsburg drama programs nominated for WAVE Awards

Business

Zolman Tire hosts Student Leadership Award ceremony

Columns

APPLEGATE: Providing a comprehensive and accessible learning environment for all students

Crime/Court

Niles man gets prison time on drug charges

Community News

AMVETS Post 1978 hosts annual Blessing of the Bikes event

Letters to the Editor

Vote ‘yes’ May 7 for Bobcats

Business

JC’s Grill opens in Niles Township

Cass County

Cass County high school students invited to participate in design contest

Dowagiac

Sanitary sewer overflow reported in Dowagiac

Community News

Dowagiac Area History Museum Spring Lecture Series continues this week with Ring Lardner spotlight

Cass County

Dowagiac teen sentenced for resisting police

Dowagiac

Two hospitalized after two-vehicle Howard Township crash

Community News

Rotary president named Paul Harris Fellow

Berrien County

New public administrator appointed in Berrien County

Community News

Niles teen delivers 300+ tree saplings on Earth Day

Letters to the Editor

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Vote Michael Majerek for county commissioner

Local Government

Niles City Council approves Memorial Day Parade

Community News

City council talks PrideFest, approves housing grant

Community News

Dowagiac Middle School to host inaugural Mother’s Day Market, Craft Fair Saturday

Brandywine Education

Michigan Supreme Court hears case at SMC

Community News

Dowagiac first responders, school staff honored for life-saving actions

Community News

2024 Dowagiac Music in The Park lineup, vendors announced