Administrator

Marine battery stolen in Constantine Township

Investigators with Michigan State Police responded to a report of larceny last week in Constantine Township. Authorities said a deep-cycle marine battery was taken from a property in the 15000 block of Withers Road. Access to the item was gained through forced entry. This incident occurred between 6 p.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m. Saturday, troopers said.

Read More »

Charges filed in home invasion case

St. Joseph County Prosecutor David Marvin and undersheriff Jason Bingaman have provided details related to the arrest of a man who allegedly sexually assaulted two girls under the age of 13. During a press conference Friday at the sheriff’s department training center, Marvin said Miguel Hernandez-Ruiz, a Mexican national, is charged with first-degree home invasion and two counts of first-degree …

Read More »

Cass County sheriff will not seek third term

Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke has announced he will not seek a third term to the county’s top law-enforcement post. Behnke started his career with the agency in 1987 as a deputy. He progressed to the roles of dispatch supervisor and subsequently as undersheriff. Behnke is in his eighth year as sheriff. According to a department media release, Behnke has …

Read More »

Larceny in Branch County

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a larceny incident reported last week by the victim in Branch County’s Sherwood Township. According to a department media release, the incident occurred at a garage in the area of Oliverda Road. The incident took place on or after April 15 and was discovered by the owner April 18. Details related to what was …

Read More »

Work continues on covered bridge

St. Joseph County Road Commission Manager John Lindsey said work at the Langley Covered Bridge will continue at least through the end of the month. Work crews closed the bridge Tuesday last week to address a few finishing touches leftover from a four-month rehabilitation project completed in January. Lindsey said workers will focus their attention on exterior painting, a task …

Read More »

Man arrested after stealing car and fleeing police

A LaGrange County man was arrested after driving a stolen car and attempting to elude police earlier this week. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said deputies were involved in a pursuit Tuesday that originated in Florence Township. Authorities said the suspect was allegedly driving a car stolen from the 64000 block of Burgener Road in Florence Township. Deputies observed the stolen vehicle …

Read More »

Sturgis schools approve millage language

Language for a proposed operating, non-homestead millage was approved Monday by the Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education. The district previously asked for the non-homestead millage in February, but the matter was defeated by a margin of about 53 percent to 47 percent. Superintendent Art Ebert said the district has used the millage – originally approved in 2014 at 18 …

Read More »

Sturgis man charged with rape

A Sturgis man is facing a rape charge stemming from an incident earlier this month in Indiana’s Noble County. Noble County Circuit Court officials said Jose Vazquez-Diaz, 28, is charged with rape after an April 6 incident in Kendallville. Court officials said the alleged victim contacted authorities April 7. The alleged victim had accompanied Vazquez-Diaz to a birthday party. Authorities …

Read More »

Michael Weber, 65

Michael John Weber, age 65, passed away on February 2nd, 2024 in his Florida home. He was born on March 11th, 1958 in Sturgis, a son of Ralph and Barb (Yoder) Weber. Michael grew up in Centreville and attended Centreville High School before joining the United States Marine Corps. He would go on to continue his education at Western Michigan …

Read More »

Dennis Allen removed from law enforcement committee

St. Joseph County Commissioner Dennis Allen has been removed from the county board’s law enforcement committee. The measure was approved by a 4-3 vote during Tuesday’s board of commissioners meeting. Commissioner Rusty Baker proposed the motion during “Commissioner Comments.” He said Allen running for sheriff while serving as chair of the law enforcement committee is a conflict of interest. Allen, …

Read More »