Government

Two people were injured following a collision this week in Cass County’s Jefferson Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday to the intersection of M-62 and Hospital Street. Investigators found 18-year-old Brittany Backus of Edwardsburg was driving west on Brownsville Road, when she stopped at the intersection of M-62 then proceeded east onto Hospital Road. …

Michigan motorists would have to allow 3 feet of clearance while passing a bike on the road unless it is “impracticable” under legislation approved Wednesday by the state House, which also voted to require teen drivers to learn about laws pertaining to cyclists and other vulnerable roadway users. Michigan is among 11 states with no “safe passing” law, and bicyclists …

Three Rivers Police K-9 Jake was instrumental in apprehending a man who left Menard’s after displaying a handgun to a store employee. According to a department media release, the incident occurred around 11 a.m. Monday, when a man who was being confronted about a retail theft incident displayed a handgun to store security before fleeing the scene on foot. He …

State police are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that occurred this week in Constantine Township. Troopers were called Tuesday to the 63000 block of Constantine Road after the homeowner reported the break-in, which occurred between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Home electronics were stolen, investigators said. Details regarding how access to the residence was gained was not indicated in a department …

A small step toward the new Commission On Aging headquarters and its on-site residences was taken Tuesday by St. Joseph County’s board of commissioners. At the request of COA Director Tim Stoll, commissioners authorized the use of $10,000 from COA’s fund balance to hire a Chicago-based consultant. The firm RealtyMetrix will assist with pursuing New Market Tax Credits. Stoll said …

Officials have ruled a 16-year-old girl found dead in Kalamazoo was strangled. MLive.com reported Tuesday that Mujey Dumbuya’s cause of death was listed as “asphyxia, including strangulation” on the death certificate. Dumbuya’s partially clothed body was found Jan. 28 in Kalamazoo, about 50 miles from her Grand Rapids home. Her family last saw her alive on Jan. 24 as she headed …

Authorities say a firefighter was wounded after a gun that was in his pocket accidentally discharged while he was responding to a grass fire in southern Michigan. Crews from several departments responded Monday afternoon to the fire in woods and fields along I-94 in Calhoun County’s Emmett Township near Battle Creek. Authorities say a firefighter from the nearby community of …

St. Joseph County commissioners appear to have a brief meeting before them this afternoon. The only item under new business is accepting the annual report from Central Dispatch. In a separate matter, commissioners will discuss whether to appoint Kathy Pangle, Rick Shaffer and Kay Decker to the Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Board. The meeting begins at 5 p.m. …

Cass County Sheriff’s Department deputies were dispatched over the weekend to the scene of a one-vehicle accident in Howard Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies responded shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday to a location along M-60 where a vehicle went off the roadway. Shawn Hoover, 34, of Niles was the driver and 58-year-old David Crespo, also of Niles, was a …

A southwestern Michigan 15-year-old has been arraigned in juvenile court following a threat of violence at his school and the discovery of guns and pipe bomb materials at his home. The youth faced charges Monday of making a terrorist threat, two counts of possession of a shortened barrel firearm, possession of stolen firearms, and possession of bomb-making materials. Van Buren …