A Constantine man was arraigned this week after he led authorities on a pursuit in Fawn River Township and the city of Sturgis Jan. 13. Damien Hochstetler was arraigned on charges of possession of methamphetamine, resisting and obstructing, fleeing and eluding, and home invasion. The court proceeding was the result of Hochstetler failing to stop after police observed his vehicle …

Sheriff Richard J Behnke reports that deputies of the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for help in the 56000 block of White Temple Road in Penn Township on Wednesday. The caller advised the Cass County Dispatch that a dog had fallen through the ice in a pond and was unable to get out. Deputy Taryn Shields responded …

Marty Baker, age 62, of Marcellus, passed away on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at Borgess Hospital. Marty was born in Three Rivers on February 9, 1958, the son of Robert Franklin Baker and Dixie Mae (Kiel) Baker. Marty was in the U.S. Army, and then later worked for many years on motor homes as a painter. Marty loved spending his …

I am Marble,  I am about a year old and super friendly.  I am a female and I am ready for my spay surgery.  I like head pats and chin scratches.   I would love to be in my new forEVER home.  Call to make an appointment to see and adopt me at the St. Joseph County Animal Control Shelter located …

A Centreville-based health and wellness facility is prepared to assist with COVID-19 immunizations if circumstances warrant. Officials from Covered Bridge Health advised St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners they are willing to step in if the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency becomes too overwhelmed with the process. During their meeting Tuesday, county commissioners agreed to provide $10,000 in funding and …

The former head of the Sturgis Department of Public Safety has been charged with a trio of misdemeanors by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office. Geoff Smith was charged Tuesday with operating under the influence of alcohol, unlawful blood-alcohol level and high blood-alcohol content. Smith, 49, was arrested Aug. 16 while off duty. The vehicle he was driving struck a parked …

Members of the Constantine Village Council agreed this week to amend a medical marijuana ordinance. The matter dates to its Jan. 4 meeting, when village manager Mark Honeysett said there are two ordinances regulating medical marijuana in Constantine. Ordinance 238, which was adopted by the council in 2011 to regulate qualified patients or caregivers, as defined by the Michigan Marijuana …

Two local residents were arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs with the intent to deliver, following a traffic stop late Monday. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies stopped a vehicle around 11:45 p.m. for a speeding violation. Location of the stop was not indicated in a department media release. Occupants of the vehicle were found to be in possession of 65 …

Beverly Joyce Ruggles, age 88, of Three Rivers, passed away on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at Bowman Place Assisted Living Community. She was born on December 22, 1932 in Constantine, the son of Kenneth L. and Rachel (Kauffman) Spade.  Beverly was lovingly raised by her adoptive father, Clyde O. Mohney, after her biological father passed away at the age of …

White Pigeon Township Library has reopened. Director Perri Saunders said the library’s staff is offering a variety of programs for all ages. The library is offering virtual programs on the library’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. Programs already underway or starting soon include: “Craft Time with Mrs. Krull,” first Monday of the month; “Gentle Yoga with Alyse,” 10 a.m. Wednesdays; …