News

A Cass County man has entered a plea of guilty but mentally ill to the charge of second-degree murder. Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz said Edward J. Hensley killed his sister, Martha Sexton, in June 2012. Sexton was found stabbed to death in her home in Mason Township. The following month, Hensley was ordered to undergo a forensic examination to …

A second suspect has been named in the murder of a University of Michigan medical student. According to a report by WMMT-TV in Grand Rapids, 21-year-old Shaquille Jones of North Charleston, S.C., is the second man named in the homicide death of Paul DeWolf. 20-year-old Joei Jordan of Sumter, S.C., was the first suspect whose name was made public on …

Officials say a 60-year-old man has died after apparently losing his balance and falling into a pile of burning leaves in southwestern Michigan. The Cass County sheriff’s department says in a statement that Bobby Wayne Quick was burning leaves Sunday afternoon at his home in Howard Township when he was seen trying to get out of the pile. The department …

Police say northern Indiana officers fatally shot a driver who led them on a chase lasting more than 40 minutes that crossed the state line into Michigan. Indiana State Police say the chase began Sunday night in Elkhart when a city police officer tried to stop a pickup truck that had been reported stolen. State police Sgt. Trent Smith says …

A 20-year-old man told police he was shot after refusing to give his money to a pair of would-be robbers. Sturgis Police said a call of gunshots in the vicinity of Main and Jean streets was received around 2 a.m. Sunday. A search in the area found nothing suspicious. The victim, however, went to the emergency room at Sturgis Hospital …

A trio of area high school football teams claimed district crowns over the weekend and are two games away from playing for a state championship. Mendon, Constantine and Schoolcraft all remain in the playoffs, while Cassopolis saw its season come to an end Friday. For the third consecutive post-season, Mendon ended Climax-Scotts’ season. On Saturday, the Hornets won on their …

Carol Dienes  was presented the 2013 Patriot Award last week by the organization Friends and Family Supporting our Military. Staged Tuesday at the Sturgis Armory, the locally founded organization concluded its banquet with the honor bestowed upon Dienes, who was one of five people nominated for the 2013 award. Dienes, of Michiana Snax, was recognized for her continued support of …

Cass County prosecutor Victor Fitz said a 15-year-old Eau Claire girl has pled guilty to driving without a valid license causing death following a June incident during which a Jones man was killed. Fitz said Sonia Sahavedra  made the plea in juvenile court last week. She was charged with the offense after she drove a car June 26 and caused …

The murder case involving suspect Andy Brown will go to trial, District Court Judge Jeff Middleton decided Thursday. During the second consecutive day of Brown’s preliminary examination, additional testimony was given regarding the suspected weapon, Brown’s location the morning of the alleged murder based on cell phone records and a possible motive Brown may have had for allegedly murdering Sturgis …

Three Rivers police took a 14-year-old student into custody Monday after it was reported he had taken a gun to school. According to police, the student showed the gun to classmates on the bus while riding home and allegedly made reference to robbing a bank or people in a park. Police recovered the weapon after making contact with the student …