Government

Cass County Sheriff Joseph Underwood Jr. reports that his office is investigating a homicide on Flanders Street in Wayne Township, which is east of the City of Dowagiac. Cass County Central Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call from a residence at 24639 Flanders Street at approximately 9:39pm Tuesday. The caller advised that there were shots fired in the residence and there …

A Mendon Township woman who heads the St. Joseph County Conservation District Board has called her four-day, 60-mile walk around St. Joseph County a success. Carol Higgins, who embarked Wednesday on the journey and finished Saturday at Colon Community Park, said she staged the event to bring awareness and potential funding to local conservation causes spearheaded by the Centreville-based agency. …

State police officials arrested a man connected to a case involving breaking-and-entering incidents and the theft of a motor vehicle in Leonidas Township. Troopers said breaking-and-entering incidents between midnight and 9 a.m. Saturday were reported in Branch County’s Sherwood Township as well as locations along Shorts Road and Factoryville Road in Leonidas Township. A minivan was reported stolen from one …

The mother of three Michigan boys missing since Thanksgiving 2010 says she now believes they’re dead.  Tanya Zuvers says she’s hanging on to a sliver of hope but she’s almost certain they’re dead.  The boys were last seen at their father’s home in Morenci, near the Michigan-Ohio border. Tanner Skelton was 5, Alexander Skelton was 7 and Andrew Skelton was …

Three World War II veterans from Southwest Michigan joined state Rep. Aaron Miller at the Capitol Thursday to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Allied victory in Europe. Miller invited the veterans and their families to join him and Brig. Gen. Len Isabelle at the Capitol, where they were introduced in the House and Senate chambers. Rep. Miller said he …

State game area managers with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources are seeking public input on several draft master plans for state game areas located in the southwestern region of the state, including one that straddles Cass and St. Joseph counties. Steve Chadwick, supervisor for the DNR Wildlife Division’s southwestern region, said the master plans are important in guiding habitat …

U.S. 131 between U.S. 12 and Dickenson Road was closed for about an hour Thursday after a semi-trailer caught fire. Around 7:45 a.m., a semi-truck hauling eggs was northbound on U.S. 131 when fire started in the trailer. The driver was able to disconnect from the trailer and drive a safe distance away. It appears the blaze started in the …

Battle Creek police report that a 19-year-old man who said he wanted police to kill him was fatally shot when both he and officers opened fire. The shooting happened Sunday morning. Police tell WOOD-TV that a family member called about 10:40 a.m. saying the man had taken a relative’s gun and wanted to die. Police say the man then called …

State Rep. Aaron Miller has announced his May in-district office hours. Miller invites residents to join him May 22, at the following locations: LA’s Coffee Café, 145 W. Michigan Ave., Three Rivers, from 8 to 9:30 a.m.; and Rachel’s Family Dining, 300 E. Chicago Road, White Pigeon, from 11 a.m. to noon. Miller said he encourages anyone with ideas or …

Authorities say a pilot escaped with minor injuries following the crash of an ultralight aircraft. The Cass County sheriff’s department says in a statement Thursday that 57-year-old Carl Rosander of Cassopolis was flying near his home when the aircraft hit a tree and crashed in La Grange Township. He was the only person aboard the aircraft. The department says Rosander …