Cass County

A measure to designate T.K. Lawless County Park in Cass County as a dark-sky preserve was approved this week by the House Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Committee. The measure was supported by State Rep. Aaron Miller. He said there is a high demand for dark-sky preserves. The plan would create an additional location in Michigan for celestial-viewing opportunities, which …

Two Calvin Township residents suspected of being involved in a number of burglaries throughout the area have been arrested by deputies from the Cass County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Richard Behnke said a large quantity of stolen property was recovered from an address on Brownsville Road after the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team and deputies executed a search warrant related to …

Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke said the department has fielded an extraordinary number of burglaries in the past month. He advises the public to be especially vigilant in locking their homes and vehicles in order to prevent from being a theft victim. From December 25 through January 15, 20 burglaries and 23 larcenies were reported to the agency. There was …

A Decatur man died in a two-vehicle accident last week in Cass County’s Wayne Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said Cody Jenkins, 35, was driving a vehicle south on M-51 when it collided head-on with a northbound van shortly before 2 a.m. Friday in the 54000 block. Deputies observed both vehicles with heavy front-end damage. The van was driven by Marie …

Two people died earlier this week in an automobile accident in Cass County’s Pokagon Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said a PT Cruiser driven by 34-year-old Mishawaka resident Lee Ann Romita Sanez was heading south on M-51 Sunday when it crossed the center line and struck a northbound Chevy Impala. It was being driven by Phillip Seitenstich, 32, of Dowagiac. David …

Four vehicles were involved in a crash caused by a wrong-way driver over the weekend in Cass County’s Milton Township. The incident was reported at 4:15 a.m. Saturday on M-60 near Reum Road. Investigators said a vehicle driving north in the southbound lane of M-60 struck a box truck driven by 23-year-old Emily Oostema. Oostema’s truck went off the roadway, …

Two Marcellus Township residents were arrested on drug-related offenses this week following the execution of a search warrant. The Cass County Drug Enforcement Team was called Thursday to the 14000 block of Dutch Settlement Road in Marcellus Township. Upon searching the residence, detectives discovered a sizeable amount of methamphetamine, marijuana, methamphetamine paraphernalia and loaded firearms. A stolen vehicle was located, …

Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke said his office recently made a donation to Cass County Cancer Services. In 2017, Sheriff Behnke initiated a fundraising campaign within his office that would benefit a local charity. The fundraising was based on casual Fridays for personnel not required to wear a uniform. Participating employees agreed to donate $10 per month. The opportunity was …

A White Pigeon man suffered minor injuries after his vehicle was struck by a deer last week in Cass County. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly before 5:30 p.m. Thursday to M-40, near Born Street. Investigators said Brian Rudloff was driving south on M-40 when his vehicle was struck on the driver’s side by a deer. Rudloff sustained …

Three Indiana residents were injured in a one-vehicle accident over the weekend in Cass County’s Newberg Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly before 2 p.m. Saturday to Quaker Street, near Savage Road. Investigators said 20-year-old Elkhart resident Colin Schieber was driving eastbound on Quaker Street, when he lost control of the vehicle, causing it to go into …