Government

Michigan State Police graduated its 136th class last week. The group of more than 70 completed a 25-week training at the Lansing-based academy. The training involved firearms, water safety, defensive tactics, patrol techniques, report writing, ethics, cultural diversity, decision, making, first aid, leadership, criminal law, crime-scene processing and precision driving. The recruits also participated in two community-outreach projects. Agency officials …

A pursuit involving law-enforcement personnel in multiple jurisdictions ended Sunday when a stolen vehicle ran out of gas in Cass County’s Calvin Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were notified around 6:40 a.m. Sunday that Indiana authorities were in pursuit of a vehicle stolen out of Elkhart and on its way into Michigan. The owner of the vehicle was tracking …

Sheriff’s deputies were called last week to a two-vehicle accident in Mendon Township. The incident occurred shortly before 9 a.m. Wednesday at the intersection of M-60 and M-66. Upon arrival, deputies located Colon resident Oscar Starks, who was trapped inside his pickup. With the assistance of Colon Fire personnel, a sheriff’s deputy was able to free Starks from the vehicle. …

State police troopers are investigating a breaking-and-entering situation that occurred last week in White Pigeon Township. Officials said the incident happened at Fantom Motorsports, on Dickenson Road. Several remote-controlled cars, remote controllers and other accessories were taken. Authorities said the suspects also stole a Canon digital camera and numerous checks from the business. The checks have Fantom Motorsports stamped on …

Multiple trailers and motor homes were broken in to in a storage lot at Kline’s Resort in Mendon Township last week. State police said the break-ins and theft of items occurred Wednesday or Thursday. Authorities said televisions, DVD players and blankets were among the items reported stolen.

A measure to designate T.K. Lawless County Park in Cass County as a dark-sky preserve was approved this week by the House Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Committee. The measure was supported by State Rep. Aaron Miller. He said there is a high demand for dark-sky preserves. The plan would create an additional location in Michigan for celestial-viewing opportunities, which …

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says people who book an appointment will get in and out of branch offices within half an hour, but that guarantee doesn’t apply to those who show up without one. Benson campaigned on a 30-minute promise. She said Thursday that she has achieved it because residents can now go online or call to make …

Michigan Rep. Fred Upton, a moderate Republican, says he will vote against impeaching President Donald Trump. Upton, top Democratic target in 2020, issued a written statement Thursday calling the impeachment process “highly partisan and clearly motivated by what I believe is an attempt to overturn the last election.” He says the time to vote on Trump is next November, not …

Police in the southeast Missouri town of Cape Girardeau are continuing to investigate after a man was shot to death at an apartment complex. The Southeast Missourian reports that the victim was identified Thursday as 53-year-old Richard R. Reeves of Decatur, Michigan. The shooting happened just before 10 a.m. inside an apartment on the second floor. Police say Reeves was …

An external study has found an Indiana city’s police department treats residents with roughness and the offending officers are seldom held accountable. The South Bend Tribune reports that the assessment of the Elkhart Police Department was made public on Thursday. Mayor Tim Neese ordered it this year following the release of video showing two officers repeatedly punching a handcuffed man. …