News

County commission hears grant annual report

Six major grants landed in 2022 were highlighted during Tuesday’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting. James Hissong, who is contracted by the county to serve as its grant writer, provided details during his annual report. Among the grants Hissong helped secure: an $85,000 award to fund a Jail Diversion Specialist position; more than $31,000 to support a campaign …

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Multiple injuries in Cass County crash

A Three Rivers man was among the people injured in a two-car crash earlier this week in Cass County’s Silver Creek Township. Sheriff Richard Benhke said deputies were called shortly before 8:30 a.m. Tuesday to an area of M-62, west of Pokagon Street. Behnke said 36-year-old Niles resident Brandon Lodholtz was driving east on M-62 when his vehicle crossed the …

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Michigan asks judge to release man in slayings of 2 hunters

The state of Michigan asked a judge Wednesday to release a man who has served nearly 21 years of a life sentence for the fatal shootings of two hunters, saying critical evidence about an Ohio serial killer’s possible role was never shared before trial. Jeff Titus’ rights were violated by keeping the information suppressed in 2002, the attorney general’s office …

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Police chase suspect arrested

A suspect who led police on a chase from Indiana into Cass County’s LaGrange Township earlier this week has been taken into custody. According to Elkhart Police, deputies were made aware of a shooting around 9 p.m. Monday. Police said a woman told officers that a man had fired several rounds at the sliding-glass door to her apartment while she …

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Quincy man arrested on criminal sexual conduct charges

A Branch County man could spend a significant amount of time in prison for charges related to criminal sexual conduct. Jacob Trent, 25, of Quincy, is accused of inappropriate conduct with a child between 13 and 16 years old. The alleged incident occurred between October and December, authorities said. Trent was arrested earlier this month after a felony warrant was …

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Search warrant conducted in Marcellus

The Cass County Drug Enforcement Team was successful in executing a search warrant at a residence in Marcellus Township this week. Sheriff Richard Behnke said the search warrant was conducted Monday at a location in the 200 block of West Arbor Street. Upon searching the residence, detectives located methamphetamine and methamphetamine paraphernalia. Behnke said detectives are submitting charges to the Cass County Prosecutor’s Office on occupants of the residence.

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County commission makes committee appointments

Two committee appointments were made Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Mendon resident Kathy Pangle, a former county commissioner, was appointed to the county’s Community Mental Health Board. Pangle will complete the remainder of a term set to expire at the end of March 2024. Meanwhile, Mendon Township resident Roger Gentz was re-appointed to the county’s Agricultural …

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DNR suggests charges for man who shot at cranes

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is pushing for charges against a Schoolcraft-area man who allegedly shot at a group of sandhill cranes. The incident was detailed in the DNR’s biweekly report for the period ending Jan. 21. The agency received a complaint of a person trying to illegally harvest the federally protected birds. Investigators found that the suspect recorded …

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Work to begin on Middlebury toll plaza

The Middlebury Toll Plaza will be closed starting Monday in an effort to further continue improvements at the site. Work at the plaza, located at exit 107, is scheduled to take place through April and conclude on or before May 23. Toll Road officials said the work continues rebuilding efforts after the plaza was damaged due to a car fire …

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Police release details on drunk driving arrest

State police troopers are releasing more information about a Three Rivers man arrested last week for alleged alcohol-related offenses. It was tenth time he has been arrested for alleged drunken driving, authorities said. Trooper Kaitlyn Bielecki said a vehicle driven by Jeremy Tomlinson, 41, ran out of gas at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday in Branch County’s Coldwater Township. Bielecki said Tomlinson …

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