County Information

A Vandalia woman reported missing last week has been located. Cass County Sheriff Joe Underwood said Ramona Huffman, 48, is safe and no longer considered a missing person. Huffman was last seen shortly after 9 p.m. Oct. 11, when she left her home to walk to a nearby gas station. Underwood said Huffman left on her own free will and …

A Three Rivers man was seriously injured after attempting to avoid a deer in the roadway last week in Florence Township. Sheriff’s officials said Tawron Johnson, 29, was driving north on Lutz Road at 5:40 a.m. Thursday when his vehicle swerved to avoid the deer. The vehicle crossed the centerline and left the west side of the road before it …

Westly George III, 29, of Three Rivers, was sentenced to prison last week for the 2015 shooting death of Eugene Jackson in Three Rivers. He was sentenced by 45th Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman. George was ordered to life for the murder, and also sentenced to three, 4- to 20-year terms on the charges of possession of firearm by a …

The 11th season of the household hazardous waste collection in St. Joseph County ended Saturday on a quiet note. Pat Kulikowski, secretary of the St. Joseph County Solid Waste Committee, said the fall collection historically generates less volume overall compared to the April event. But, she noted, Saturday was a different kind of slow. Approximately 400 tires were collected, slightly …

A mausoleum was vandalized last week at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis. Police said a substantial amount of spray-painted graffiti was found at 8 a.m. Friday on the Franks mausoleum. Sturgis city commissioner Rob Sisson said he was outraged over the incident. He said whoever is responsible for the vandalism will be found and held accountable to the fullest extent …

Three Rivers officials have announced the city has received a substantial grant from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The $2 million gift was awarded through the agency’s Stormwater, Asset Management and Wastewater grant. Municipal officials said the money will help the city assess, map and clean its storm and sanitary sewer systems. The funds can also be used to …

Michigan State Police troopers responded last week to a breaking-and-entering incident at a residence in Sturgis Township. Troopers were called Oct. 9 to the 69000 block of Elaine Drive. The victim told police the incident likely occurred around 3 a.m. and entered through the back entrance of the residence. A small safe and a laptop computer were reported stolen.

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an incident in Sherman Township where a number of cows were shot and killed. Sometime between Saturday and Monday, the suspect or suspects shot several cows in the 27000 block of Banker Street. Additional information was not available, as the incident remains under investigation.

Motorists who travel U.S. 131 into the Kalamazoo area are being advised of a notable road project starting next week that will result in the full closure of a section of the highway. The Michigan Department of Transportation announced the railroad crossing at the south end of the village of Schoolcraft will be closed for up to three weeks beginning …

A pontoon boat was reported stolen last weekend from a Lockport Township location. State police said the incident occurred between noon Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday in the 17000 block of South River Road. The boat is a 1989 Ensign, 20 feet in length and includes a 25 horsepower Johnson motor.