News

A Mexican national will serve up to 15 years in prison for a car crash that killed an infant in November. Efrain Jimenez-Lopez, 24, pleaded guilty to three felonies for the Nov. 1 crash that killed 6-month-old Alden Adams in Mendon Township. St. Joseph County Circuit Judge Paul Stutesman issued the sentence Friday after Jimenez-Lopez pleaded guilty to failure to …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that occurred last month in Branch County’s Sherwood Township. Investigators said the incident occurred between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Feb. 24 at a residence in the 800 block of Wheatfield Drive. Troopers said the suspect gained access into the residence by breaking through the front door. The victim told authorities …

A suspect behind the robbery of a Cassopolis bank last week has been taken into custody. Cassopolis Police Department officials said an arrest was made Friday by their counterparts in South Bend. The suspect was taken to the St. Joseph County Jail in Indiana and is awaiting extradition to Michigan. The robbery occurred Feb. 27 at Fifth Third Bank on …

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has a program for teen foster children called “Independent Living.” The agency is appealing to the public to consider the opportunity to help a foster teen learn how to meal plan, cook, grocery shop, job search and learn skills to live independently in St. Joseph County. A foster home license is not required …

A 22-year-old woman was arrested on drug-related charges last week in Sturgis. According to the Sturgis Department of Public Safety, a traffic stop was conducted at 1:30 a.m. Friday near the intersection of South Jefferson Street and West Chicago Road. K-9 officer Odin was brought to the scene and responded positively to the odor of narcotics. Officers eventually found the …

A Lockport Township man was released on a $60,000 bond Tuesday night following arraignment on six felony charges related to a raid on his Lockport Township home last weekend. Princeton Potts, 41, was arrested after a search warrant was executed at his residence in the 18000 block of South River Road, where officers found a large quantity of meth and …

A St. Joseph County school administrator is a finalist for the 2023 Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals “Principal of the Year.” Carrie Balk, principal at Three Rivers High School, joins a team of finalists, a field comprised of her peers from L’Anse Creuse High School, Fraser High School and Northville High School. Balk, 43, has been Three Rivers High …

Officials from the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce announced the agency has hired a new executive director. Kari Hatt, a Sturgis native and Sturgis High School alumna, replaces Roxanne Persing, who stepped down to accept a teaching position at Sturgis High School. Board President Bret Hamlin said the chamber is fortunate to recruit a person with Hatt’s talent and experience. …

Four communities and St. Joseph County are in line to receive annual payouts from the Michigan Department of Treasury. More than $59 million will be distributed among 224 Michigan municipalities and counties that allow recreational marijuana sales. Each eligible municipality will receive $51,800 for every licensed recreational marijuana retail store and microbusiness within its jurisdiction. Funds are part of the …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that took place in Sherman Township. Investigators were called to the 22000 block of Featherstone Road in response to the theft of multiple items – including a firearm – early Wednesday afternoon. Authorities said additional items were taken from a garage.