Government

A variety of stolen items was discovered by sheriff’s deputies following a traffic stop at 1 a.m. Thursday in Park Township. According to a department media release, a road patrol sergeant stopped a dirt bike on Buckhorn Road near Heimbach Road. During their investigation, deputies found that the dirt bike had been stolen out of Cass County the day before. …

A Fairbanks Police sergeant who was shot in the line of duty last week died Friday after complications from surgery, the department said. “Fairbanks lost a hero today,” Deputy Chief Brad Johnson said at a press briefing that was broadcast live on Facebook. “I’m sorry to have to let you know that earlier this afternoon Sgt. Allen Brandt lost the …

The Michigan appeals court has ruled the state’s child-abuse law doesn’t apply to unborn babies, a decision that was made in response to a case involving a Sturgis woman. The court threw out the conviction of Melissa Jones, who used methamphetamine during her pregnancy. Jones’ son weighed less than 4 pounds despite being delivered at full term in Sturgis. In …

A judge has refused to suspend her order that allows Michigan voters to take photos of their completed ballot in the Nov. 8 election. Citing the First Amendment, Grand Rapids federal Judge Janet Neff blocked Michigan’s ban on taking so-called ballot selfies. The secretary of state is appealing. The judge said Wednesday that she won’t freeze her decision while the …

A trio of Three Rivers men was charged with various offenses following an incident at Riverside Townhouses Tuesday. According to the Three Rivers Police Department, officers were called around 1 a.m. to 1200 Hov Aire Drive in response to someone jumping on a car and smashing its windshield. Three suspects fled the scene when officers arrived. One was arrested along …

Fire investigators from Michigan State Police are looking into a blaze that occurred Thursday morning at a home in the 20000 block of South River Road in Lockport Township. Officials believe the cause of the fire is suspicious. Heavy smoke was coming from the home when Centreville firefighters arrived at the scene around 11 a.m. The homeowners were not present …

An EPA Superfund site in Sturgis is being re-evaluated for a new concern called vapor intrusion. The Sturgis Municipal Wells Superfund Site was placed in the Superfund Program in 1984 for chemical contamination from the Kirsch Company impacting local drinking water wells. Vapor intrusion occurs when contaminated vapor gets into the indoor air of a building. The current owner of …

A Sturgis man died Tuesday as a result of injuries he suffered in a two-vehicle crash in Sturgis Township. State police said Robert Riddle, 82, attempted to make a left-hand turn from southbound White School Road onto eastbound Fawn River Road shortly before 3 p.m. Investigators said Riddle, who was driving a Ford F-150, turned into the path of a …

The Kalamazoo City Commission has taken a step toward using roughly $70 million in private donations to help cover city costs. The commission voted 6-1 to approve the memorandum of understanding during a public meeting Monday. The document outlines the agreement between donors and the city as well as each party’s commitment to the Foundation for Excellence. The foundation, introduced …

The identity of a 4-year-old victim of a dog attack Sunday in Sherman Township has been confirmed. Kiyana McNeal was killed by the family pet, a recently acquired Doberman. The dog apparently lunged at the girl’s neck as she was offering it a treat. McNeal’s mother attempted to pull the 4-year-old dog off the girl and was bitten by the …