Government

A 17-year-old Goshen boy, reported as a runaway, was found Monday evening in a wooded area in Cass County’s Newburg Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies responded shortly after 5 p.m. to the 15000 block of Quaker Street in response to three juvenile runaways. Two of the juveniles returned home but the 17-year-old remained in a wooded area. Deputies requested …

A vacancy on the Three Rivers City Commission remains unfilled, as there were no applicants who filed for the partial-term seat before a Friday deadline last week. City officials said the seat was previously held by Diane Clay, who stepped down Dec. 20 in light of her move to another part of the community. The issue is likely to be …

St. Joseph County residents later this year will likely be asked to support a millage request sought by the county’s E-911 Central Dispatch agency. County administrator Pat Yoder said Central Dispatch Director Dennis Brandenburg broached the subject during last week’s executive committee meeting. Yoder said the matter yielded substantial discussion that centered on a variety of needs Brandenburg noted. The …

Cass County prosecutor Victor Fitz formally charged 23-year-old Elkhart resident William Henderson with one count of open murder last week. Henderson is accused in Tuesday’s stabbing death of Juan Mendez, 24, who had lived in the Elkhart area as well as Puerto Rico. Mendez was stabbed early Tuesday during an altercation at Ameri-Kart in Cassopolis. After the stabbing, Henderson attempted …

Despite concerns about the cost for security and an inconvenience for county staff, St. Joseph County commissioners appear likely to stick with a later start time for its twice-a-month meetings. The issue of a 6 p.m. start time was discussed by commissioners during last week’s executive committee meeting after commissioner Kathy Pangle made a motion Jan. 3 to change the …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, including Sheriff Brad Balk, acknowledged the passing of Mounted Division Lt. Terry Shelhamer. According to a department media release, Shelhamer died in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday after a semi pulled in front of his pickup in Bristol, Ind. Shelhamer’s granddaughter was a passenger and also injured in the accident. She was treated and released. …

An Elkhart man died after he was involved in a workplace altercation Wednesday in Cass County’s Mason Township. Sheriff Richard J. Behnke said deputies were called shortly before 5:30 a.m. to Ameri-Kart, a business in the 19300 block of Grange Street. While Deputies and ambulances were en route, it was discovered that one of the employees had stabbed the other …

Sturgis police arrested an 18-year-old man Wednesday on two felony offenses and a misdemeanor following a pursuit. According to a department media release, officers attempted to stop a vehicle for an equipment violation shortly before 2:30 a.m. on North Lakeview Street at East Lafayette Street. The driver refused to stop and the vehicle was pursued until it came to a …

Firefighters from four departments battled a residential blaze Monday afternoon in Sherman Township. Crews were dispatched around 3 p.m. to the 66000 block of Klinger Lake Road. First responders saw flames emanating from the rear of the home. Flames quickly spread to the front of the home, according to authorities. The residence was a complete loss. An initial investigation suggests …

A 37-year-old Sturgis man is being held in the St. Joseph County Jail after police found methamphetamine labs in his vehicle earlier this week in Sturgis Township. A sheriff’s deputy stopped the vehicle for an expired license plate around 10:30 a.m. Monday on U.S. 12 near Stubey Road. The deputy soon discovered a meth lab was in the back of …