Police

Two local K-9 officers are more protected on the job thanks to a donation from the nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K- 9s. White Pigeon K- 9 Zar and Sturgis K-9 Tucky each received body armor, sponsored by Oliver and Rita Miller of Taylor. Vests are embroidered with the sentiment “Protect this K-9 from harm, in memory of Lori Miller.” …

Two people died early Friday when their car hit a tree which had fallen across a highway 2 miles north of East Leroy in Calhoun County. The incident happened on M-66, north of H Drive South shortly before 4am. The victims were identifed as the driver, 48-year-old Kathi Thomason, and the passenger in her car, Howard Bergman, age 60.  Both …

State Rep. Aaron Miller this week approved recommendations for the Michigan State Police agency’s 2017-18 budget. The state House endorsed a bill approved by the Michigan State Police Budget Subcommittee, which is chaired by Miller. Included in the plan is the addition of 100 new state police troopers across the state. Miller said there is a need for increased public …

Two people received certificates of recognition Saturday from the St. Joseph County Sheriff ’s Department. Wayne Schwartz of Centreville and Jonathan Anzaldua of Bronson each received an award for their action July 20. Deputies took a report late that evening about a missing 61-year-old man with Alzheimer’s who had been last seen that morning at a home where he staying …

A Cass County teen was injured in a single-vehicle accident after she reportedly fell asleep at the wheel in Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 3 a.m. Sunday to M-40, near Shavehead Lake Road in response to a vehicle that had struck a tree. Deputies said 18-year-old Birdie Murphy, of Union, was traveling south on …

A Branch County residence was recently burglarized. State police said a house and outbuildings in the 500 block of Kosmerick Road in Bethel Township were broken into between Feb. 25 and March 24. A department media release indicated a number of items were stolen.

A Fawn River Township residence was burglarized last week. State police said troopers were called Wednesday morning to the 30000 block of U.S. 12. Around 7:15 a.m., a neighbor reported a Ford F150 with a small trailer backed up to the garage of a home that suffered extensive damage in a fire last month. The same home was broken into …

Four people, including two children, were injured in a two-car crash Thursday at the intersection of Shimmel and Featherstone roads in Sherman Township. Michigan State Police said a pickup driven by Jessica Goble, a 35-year-old Sturgis resident, was eastbound on Featherstone Road at 8 a.m., when she failed to stop at the intersection. The truck was struck by a car …

A Niles woman was treated for injuries she received after her vehicle ran into a car driven by a Constantine resident. Cass County Sheriff’s Department officials said Janel Chappell, 18, was driving west on U.S. 12 at 4:21 p.m. March 17 when her vehicle collided with a car driven by Dakota Hicks, 20, of Constantine. The incident occurred near M-217 …

Police are looking for a 48-year-old woman reported missing from the Allegan area. Amy Lynn Harker, originally from Sturgis, was last heard from around 2:30 p.m. Sunday, when she had told a friend she was going to Illinois to visit friends, according to the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department. Harker’s family and friends said they have been unable to reach her …