Government

Cass County Sheriff’s deputies responded last week to a larceny complaint from a business owner in Newberg Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said investigators were summoned Nov. 12 to Pro Dock Inc., located on M-60, west of Jones. Following an investigation, authorities executed a search warrant Thursday in the 24000 block of North Shore Drive in Cass County’s Ontwa Township. A 45-year-old woman …

Two of three local high school varsity football teams bowed out of the state playoffs last weekend. The surviving team – Schoolcraft High School – will attempt Saturday to continue its march to Ford Field for a potential state title. In 8-man, Division 1 action last weekend, Mendon came up short in a 49-32 defeat at Deckerville High School. The …

St. Joseph County Undersheriff Jason Bingaman will maintain his current job title the next four years, but in a different county. Bingaman, whose term as undersheriff in St. Joseph County concludes Dec. 31, has been chosen to serve as undersheriff in Branch County under its sheriff-elect, Fred Blankenship. Currently Branch County Sheriff Department’s jail administrator, Blankenship will begin his term …

The biggest prize up for grabs Tuesday in St. Joseph County was claimed by Nottawa resident Kevin Kane. Kane, 46, was the top vote-getter in the contest for St. Joseph County Probate Court judge. His opponent for the six-year, non-partisan position was Three Rivers native Kelly Ward. Kane will replace 73-year-old David Tomlinson, who has aged out after a 12-year …

Three Rivers begins its fall leaf pickup today. Final collection dates by district are: Dec. 9, Third District; Dec. 11, Fourth District; Dec. 13, Second District; and Dec. 16, First District. City officials said leaves should be in the street and not in the yard. Brush, sod, bricks, rocks, trash or other materials should not be included. Municipal officials said …

A wanted felon was arrested last week by Sturgis Department of Public Safety. City officials said they had been attempting to locate the suspect and on Oct. 11, officers noticed activity at the suspect’s residence. After a period of surveillance, officers observed the suspect get into the passenger seat of a vehicle leaving the residence. Officers conducted a traffic stop …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the larceny of multiple items from a construction site in Lockport Township. Investigators said the incident took place between 1 p.m. Monday and 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 18000 block of South Fisher Lake Road. Multiple items were damaged or stolen from the property, including items containing copper wiring, authorities said.

Three Rivers Community Schools Superintendent Nikki Nash issued a letter to district families regarding alleged threats made last week. The district closed Thursday and Friday in response to the threats. Nash said the decision was made to not open as a precaution. She said district officials are working closely with law-enforcement authorities and an independent investigation has been conducted. Nash …

An Indiana man died last week following a single-car crash in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 11:30 p.m. Friday to an area of Teasdale Lake Street, just west of Robbins Lake Road. Behnke said a car driven by 24-year-old Mishawaka resident James Shaw was traveling at a high rate of speed, west on …

Branch County authorities have charged a Detroit man for attempting to smuggle drugs into the Lakeland Correctional Facility in Coldwater. Sheriff’s officials said Derrick Herring Jr., 38, has been arraigned on conspiracy to furnish contraband. The charge stems from a May 2023 incident that was caught on security video. Herring allegedly threw a package over the perimeter fence at the …