Government

Michigan State Police have identified the man who was killed in a gunfight that also left two troopers injured. Police say preliminary results from an autopsy Thursday showed 62-year-old David Kidney of Union City died of a single gunshot wound sustained while exchanging gunfire with troopers. Detective Sgt. Aaron Steensma and Trooper Daniel Thayer were executing a search warrant when …

Members of the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics Unit arrested four people following the execution of a narcotics-related search warrant. Sheriff’s officials said the SCAN unit was called Monday to the 500 block of East Chicago Road in White Pigeon. As a result of the search warrant, a male and a female from White Pigeon, and a man and woman …

A man who police say broke into a southern Michigan apartment and attacked his ex-girlfriend with a sword is expected to get a mental health exam. The Battle Creek Enquirer reports defense lawyer James Sauber said Tuesday he’ll request the examination next week for 35-year-old Anthony Whitlock of Battle Creek. Whitlock is jailed on charges including assault with intent to murder. Sauber …

Two Colon residents have been arrested on drug-related charges. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, members of the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit recently executed a search warrant at a residence in the 58000 block of Lepley Road in Colon Township. SCAN members located a number of items related to the production of methamphetamine, according to authorities. …

A Mendon man died over the weekend in a two-vehicle accident in Leonidas Township, where rescue personnel said heavy fog played a role in the incident. Sheriff’s deputies were called at 5:30 p.m. Sunday to the intersection of Summit and Pleasant roads, just west of Leonidas. Investigators said Mark Russell, 60, was driving a Jeep west on Pleasant Road. Meanwhile, …

A Three Rivers resident was arrested after attempting to leave the Sturgis Meijer without paying for merchandise. Sturgis police said the 26-year-old man fled the store around 7 p.m. Saturday despite an attempt by store personnel to stop him. Sturgis K-9 officer Tucky was brought to the scene and successfully located the man in a nearby field. He was charged …

Medics from the Tri Township Fire Department and Lifecare Ambulance personnel treated two Coldwater children who were overcome by exhaust fumes over the weekend in Fawn River Township. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were called at 11:50 a.m. Saturday to Sweet Lake Trailer Park on U.S. 12 in response to two children who had stopped breathing. …

An effort is underway to allow Michigan voters to cast an absentee ballot for any or no reason. A coalition that includes civil libertarians and political activists filed ballot language Monday with the state. If approved, the next step would be a campaign to collect 316,000 signatures to get the issue on the fall ballot. The proposed amendment to Michigan’s …

Cass County sheriff’s deputies are investigating a two-vehicle accident that occurred last week in Calvin Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 3 p.m. Thursday to the 17000 block of Chain Lake Street. Investigators said a 16-year old Cassopolis girl lost control of her car while driving eastbound and came upon a patch of ice. Her vehicle crossed …

State police are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that took place earlier this week in Sturgis Township. Troopers were called Monday to the Memory Lane trailer park, in the 25000 block of U.S. 12, where a residence was burglarized between 4 a.m. and 1 p.m. A laptop computer and undisclosed amount of money were stolen during the break in, according to …