Government

The Michigan Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether deputies acted lawfully when they walked to the rear of a home without a warrant and learned there was marijuana growing inside. The case from St. Joseph County centers on the actions of two deputies in 2011. The outcome could have an impact on police tactics statewide. The deputies skipped the …

Three Rivers police K-9 Hondo passed away last month at Michigan State University following a battle with cancer. Hondo had worked for the department the past five years. Officer Matt Stark, Hondo’s handler, said his companion was a happy and loyal dog. In his five years on the force, Hondo was able to help police locate several fugitives in and …

St. Joseph County commissioners recently gave their approval to a request made by circuit court judge Paul Stutesman regarding an out-of-state travel notice. In a memo to commissioners, Stutesman stated he would like court administrator Kathy Griffin to attend the National Association for Court Management’s annual conference in Louisville, Ky. Two nights of lodging during the weeklong conference later this …

Speed and alcohol may have been factors in a one-vehicle crash that injured a woman Tuesday in Nottawa Township, according to the St. Joseph County Sheriff ’s Department. Deputies said Jennifer Ann Bainbridge was driving west on Cupp Road near the intersection of Walterspaugh about 1:30 p.m., when the vehicle left the road just east of Walterspaugh. The car slid …

The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging board has asked county commissioners to reappoint Dawn Everett, Allen Balog, Jim MacTavish, Chuck Thompson and Barb Fisher to new two-year COA board terms. In a related matter, trustees re-appointed officers including Margaret Shultz, chairman; Jon Withers, vice chairman; Charles Willer, treasurer; and Thompson as secretary.

Police say a 14-year-old boy had his left hand blown off by a homemade firework device in southwestern Michigan. The Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety says the child and a 12-year-old boy were injured on Tuesday afternoon. Officers responded and the boys were hospitalized for treatment. Police say the 12-year-old had minor injuries to his face. Police didn’t immediately …

Conceding she has big shoes to fill, Lindsay Oswald on Tuesday was sworn in as St. Joseph County’s 29th county clerk. The 35-year-old Lockport Township resident succeeds Pattie Bender, who retired Tuesday after a 45-year career with St. Joseph County. Oswald was hired in 2013 to serve as the county’s grant writer. She was a 10-year employee for the city …

The Schoolcraft Police Department is trying to identify two people of interest related to the theft of a donation jar. The jar was taken from the check-out area shortly after 3 p.m. June 17 at the Citgo gas station, 620 N. Grand St. A male and female have been identified in security video as being people of interest in the …

Michigan State Police continue to investigate the theft of items from a vehicle in the 11000 block of Flowerfield Road in Flowerfield Township. Stolen were several locksmith tools, including a portable key-making machine.

A 33-year-old Marcellus man was injured over the weekend in a motorcycle accident in Fabius Township. County sheriff’s deputies said the man was driving east on Coon Hollow Road around 6 p.m. Saturday when he lost control near Vernon Road, went off the right side of the roadway and the motorcycle struck a mailbox. The driver was thrown into the …