News

Cass County sheriff’s deputies are investigating a personal-injury crash that took place in Penn Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies responded at 6 a.m. Tuesday to Donnell Lake Street, just west of Lewis Lake. Behnke said deputies made contact with the driver, 22-year-old Vandalia resident Janelle Gazi. She told authorities she swerved to avoid an animal in the roadway. Her …

A Three Rivers man who attempted to elude police last year has been found guilty of two charges related to the incident. St. Joseph County Prosecutor David Marvin said Mark Shelton, 62, could face up to 15 years in prison after being convicted on two counts of resisting/obstructing police as a fourth habitual offender. The incident happened during August 2021 …

Three people were injured in a two-car crash last week in Burr Oak Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called shortly after 3 p.m. Friday to the intersection of Kelly and Carpenterson roads in response to a personal-injury crash. Investigators said an 18-year-old female and her 18-year-old passenger, both of Sturgis, were northbound on Carpenterson Road, where the driver …

A judge rejected a plea agreement Monday for a woman accused of helping her boyfriend set fire to several northern Indiana barns, citing her plea deal’s lack of prison time. Sherry Thomas, 33, of Nappanee had reached a plea agreement that includes an admission to one felony count of arson in the string of eight barn burnings. Thomas was charged …

A 32-year-old Sherman Township man will serve up to 70 years in prison for his role in child pornography. St. Joseph County Circuit Judge Paul Stutesman last week sentenced Clayton Warren, after Warren pleaded no contest to first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Investigators said Warren recorded himself sexually assaulting a 10-year-old child over a five-month period starting in November 2021. Warren …

Colon Community Schools Superintendent Rachel Kowalski issued a statement last week related to a student who became ill after participating in a social media challenge. Kowalski said a student at Colon Elementary ate a tortilla chip infused with Carolina Reaper, considered the hottest pepper in the world. The victim, whose grade level or age were not indicated, became violently ill …

A 19-year-old woman was injured in a single-vehicle crash earlier this week in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were dispatched around 11 p.m. Tuesday to the area of U.S. 12 and M-40 in response to a personal-injury crash. Investigators said Union resident Kylie Ross was traveling east on U.S. 12, where her vehicle crossed the centerline …

Glen Oaks Community College recently held a ceremony to celebrate a national observance honoring academically sound students who are first-generation college students. A Tri-Alpha induction ceremony was held in the Dresser Business Development Center. The chapter is an honorary society for first-generation college students who have a 3.2 grade-point average or higher and have completed at least 30 college credits. …

Starting the week of November 28th, Van Buren/Cass District Health Department will transition to appointment-only clinics for COVID-19 and flu vaccines. With the high demand for COVID-19 and seasonal flu vaccines, the agency will revert to appointment-only clinics starting Thursday, with walk-ins accommodated on a case-by-case basis and as time permits on specific clinic days. Appointments can be made online …

Three Rivers Public Services Director Amy Roth has issued a media release regarding bricks from the old Three Rivers Hospital. Bricks from the ongoing demolition of the old hospital will be available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at noon Monday. Excess bricks will be located in the two middle driveway openings along Millard Street. Roth asked that those who …