County Information

A 26-year-old Jones woman was arrested Wednesday following a joint investigation by the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team and agents from the Michigan Department of Corrections Parole/Probation Division. The arrest took place at a residence in the 61000 block of South Main Street, where investigators responded to a tip about drug use and firearms in the residence. A search of the …

Equipment failure on a garbage truck resulted in a crash and subsequent injury of its driver Wednesday in Cass County’s Penn Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 9:30 a.m. to M-60, west of Calvin Center Road. Investigators found that the garbage truck lost control and left the roadway, overturning in a shoulder embankment. The driver, Jason McGaughey, …

A motorist responsible for the death of a 46-year-old Sturgis man in a traffic crash earlier this year has been sentenced to prison. St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman sentenced Paul Michael Middling, 36, of Three Rivers to 20-to-60 years in prison. Middling was driving when his car struck a van driven by Miguel Medina May 4 near …

The Sturgis city commission recently voted to improve “yield to pedestrian” signage at three locations: Monroe Street in front of the post office, Pleasant and North streets, and Jefferson Street. Other intersections have signals. City manager Mike Hughes said it makes sense to consider signage. City engineer Barry Cox said any signage would have to go through Michigan Department of Transportation …

Members of the Glen Oaks Community College Board of Trustees recently approved an audit of the college. The audit, presented by Lisa VanDeWeert of Rehman Group, featured a series of reports, including federal awards that were expended by the college for fiscal year 2017 and the communication for those charged with governance. In the end, VanDeWeert issued an unmodified or …

A chainsaw and a Honda portable generator were reported stolen last week from a barn in Nottawa Township. State police troopers were called Saturday to the 50000 block of Rambadt Road, where someone entered a barn between Oct. 30 and Saturday morning through an unlocked door. Investigators said the suspect loaded both items into a small, pull-behind wagon and left …

A number of seasonal residences in the area of Long Lake in Colon Township were burglarized last month. Troopers from Michigan State Police said the incidents occurred between 4:15 p.m. Oct. 22 and 5:30 p.m. Oct. 25 in the 61000 block of Bass Lane. Investigators said suspects gained entry by using a prying instrument to open the front and rear …

A Cassopolis man died after he was struck by a train last week in Cass County. Cassopolis Police Department Chief Brian LaValle said officers were called shortly after 5 a.m. Friday to railroad tracks at East State and Wolfe streets for a report of a northeast-bound train that struck a pedestrian. Police located the 63-year-old pedestrian, identified as Garry Shouse, …

State Rep. Aaron Miller last week said he will continue exploring options to lower car insurance rates for all Michigan drivers. Miller voted ‘yes’ on House Bill 5013, which would guarantee lower car insurance rates for all Michigan drivers – with the greatest savings going to seniors. The bill, however, did not pass in a vote late last week in …

A man charged with two murders in July has been found competent to stand trial. Zachary Michael Patten, 32, of Portage, also waived his preliminary during a recent hearing in St. Joseph County District Court. Prosecutor John McDonough said a status conference will be held by the end of November. Patten was found competent following a psychological evaluation at Center …