Government

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 ballot featuring four unchallenged incumbents was the only matter before Three Rivers voters Tuesday. Mayor Tom Lowry, and commissioners Janell Hart, Pat Dane and Norm Stutesman all will return to serve two-year terms. Final vote totals were: Lowry, 199; Dane, 207; Stutesman, 223; Hart, 218. The 61-year-old Lowry, owner of Lowry’s Books and More, has served as mayor 18 …

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 …

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 …

Republican lawmakers are renewing their attempt to let gun owners carry their weapons inside Michigan schools, day care centers and other gun-free zones. Fast-tracked legislation up for a vote in a Senate committee Tuesday would allow concealed pistol license holders with extra training to carry in nine areas that are currently off limits. The full Republican-led Senate plans to vote …

Two men were charged with attempted murder and drug-related offenses following an incident earlier this week in Park Township. Prosecutor John McDonough said the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics Unit, along with another deputy, set up an undercover buy for an undisclosed quantity of methamphetamine. The sale was set up to take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday outside a business …

Three teenagers were charged with a variety of offenses after they were found to be in possession of stolen firearms and burglary tools. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, a minivan was stopped around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday on Liberty Street near Michigan Avenue in Three Rivers for a moving violation. While on the stop, the deputy observed a …

A 33-year-old Colon man was charged with attempted murder of a law-enforcement official following an incident Tuesday afternoon in Colon Township. State police officials said troopers were dispatched to the 32000 block of Eleanor Drive in response to a suicidal subject with a gun. A family member arrived on the scene and attempted to talk the suspect into surrendering. The …

Investigators from Michigan State Police are looking into a breaking-and-entering incident in Lockport Township. Troopers were called at 6 a.m. Tuesday to the 57000 block of Haines Road, where unauthorized entrance into a residence took place sometime between Oct. 20 and Oct. 23. The suspects broke into the residence and took keys to a 1989 Ford Crown Victoria, tan in …