Police

A Mishawaka woman was injured in a two-vehicle crash last weekend in Cass County’s Jefferson Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly before 6:30 p.m. Saturday to the intersection of Pine Lake and Daily Road in response to a crash with potential injuries. Investigators said 27-year-old Mishawaka resident Ronald Lard was driving east on Pine Lake Street and …

Three Kalamazoo County residents were injured after their pickup was involved in a one-vehicle crash last weekend in Branch County’s Girard Township. Sheriff’s deputies were called at 7:30 a.m. Sunday to southbound I-69, near Dayburg Road. Investigators said 70-year-old Kalamazoo resident Dennis Bates told authorities he fell asleep while driving. His vehicle crossed the median and entered the northbound lanes …

A Coldwater man faces charges related to child pornography following a five-month investigation. Branch County District Court officials said Kenneth Traver, 44, is charged with four counts of aggravated possession of child sexually abusive material; two counts of using a computer to commit a crime; and one count of aggravated child sexually abusive activity. Michigan State Police troopers were made …

A preliminary hearing in the case of a woman accused of murdering her 2-year-old child was waived earlier this month. According to St. Joseph County District Court, 21-year-old Paige Bohne waived the preliminary hearing in the case, which was scheduled to occur Tuesday. The waiver was signed by all parties Nov. 14. Waiving the preliminary hearing means the case now …

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 …

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 …