News

A 64-year-old man drowned in a Lake Michigan bay when his off-road vehicle hit open water, authorities said. Edward Lester of Garden was at Big Bay De Noc, off Delta County, for ice fishing Thursday. Ice in the area was 4 to 5 inches thick but “recent high winds caused the crack to open,” said Lt. Eugene “Skip” Hagy of …

A barn fire earlier this week in Flowerfield Township is believed to have been an act of arson, according to state police. Troopers were called Tuesday to the 11000 block of Mt. Zion Road in response to a barn engulfed in flames. Investigators said there is reason to believe suspicious people and vehicles were in the area prior to the …

The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging wishes to correct information it stated last week regarding the return of group exercise beginning this past Wednesday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services had announced last week it was allowing group exercise classes. After further researching the state’s website, COA officials discovered that group exercise is allowed, but not at …

Michigan State Police troopers were called this week to investigate an incident of fraud involving a senior citizen in St Joseph County. The victim was contacted by individuals he believed to be his grandson and a lawyer. The two stated his grandson was injured in an at-fault crash, and needed $9,500 in cash for medical and legal fees. The victim …

A Constantine man was arraigned this week after he led authorities on a pursuit in Fawn River Township and the city of Sturgis Jan. 13. Damien Hochstetler was arraigned on charges of possession of methamphetamine, resisting and obstructing, fleeing and eluding, and home invasion. The court proceeding was the result of Hochstetler failing to stop after police observed his vehicle …

Sheriff Richard J Behnke reports that deputies of the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for help in the 56000 block of White Temple Road in Penn Township on Wednesday. The caller advised the Cass County Dispatch that a dog had fallen through the ice in a pond and was unable to get out. Deputy Taryn Shields responded …

A Centreville-based health and wellness facility is prepared to assist with COVID-19 immunizations if circumstances warrant. Officials from Covered Bridge Health advised St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners they are willing to step in if the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency becomes too overwhelmed with the process. During their meeting Tuesday, county commissioners agreed to provide $10,000 in funding and …

The former head of the Sturgis Department of Public Safety has been charged with a trio of misdemeanors by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office. Geoff Smith was charged Tuesday with operating under the influence of alcohol, unlawful blood-alcohol level and high blood-alcohol content. Smith, 49, was arrested Aug. 16 while off duty. The vehicle he was driving struck a parked …

Members of the Constantine Village Council agreed this week to amend a medical marijuana ordinance. The matter dates to its Jan. 4 meeting, when village manager Mark Honeysett said there are two ordinances regulating medical marijuana in Constantine. Ordinance 238, which was adopted by the council in 2011 to regulate qualified patients or caregivers, as defined by the Michigan Marijuana …

Two local residents were arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs with the intent to deliver, following a traffic stop late Monday. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies stopped a vehicle around 11:45 p.m. for a speeding violation. Location of the stop was not indicated in a department media release. Occupants of the vehicle were found to be in possession of 65 …