News

An external study has found an Indiana city’s police department treats residents with roughness and the offending officers are seldom held accountable. The South Bend Tribune reports that the assessment of the Elkhart Police Department was made public on Thursday. Mayor Tim Neese ordered it this year following the release of video showing two officers repeatedly punching a handcuffed man. …

A preliminary hearing set for Ethan Dingman, who is charged with the murder of 55-year-old Todd Schwartz of Colon, didn’t occur Tuesday as scheduled, according to John McDonough, St. Joseph County prosecutor. The case was adjourned and Dingman will be evaluated for competency to stand trial, McDonough said. That evaluation is to take place at Center for Forensic Psychiatry in …

A big-ticket item was approved this week by members of the Three Rivers Public Library Board. In advance of the library’s move to 88 N. Main St., the board agreed to spend nearly $120,000 to replace the building’s heating and air conditioning unit. With no heat emitting from the current system, the board expects to pay about $4,800 a month …

St. Joseph County’s second-longest-tenured superintendent has been offered the job as chief of Bronson Community Schools. Steve Wilson, superintendent the past four years at Constantine Public Schools, was offered the position following Bronson’s board of education meeting Tuesday. The Bronson post, available after Richard Hilderley left to take a position in Tecumseh, drew broad interest and resulted in interviews with …

A man who said he was repeatedly hounded by police during an investigation of a girl’s killing in St. Joseph County has filed a lawsuit, two years after his wrongful conviction for perjury was thrown out. Ray McCann said his constitutional rights were violated by various police officers in St. Joseph County. He filed a lawsuit in federal court last …

One person was injured and airlifted for medical care following a two-vehicle crash Monday afternoon in White Pigeon Township. Authorities said the driver of a Ford Mustang had turned east onto U.S. 12 from Lutz Road when the driver lost control, causing the vehicle’s rear to go into westbound traffic. A semi-truck collided with the back of the vehicle, cutting …

Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 11 p.m. Saturday to Church Street near the intersection of Goff Lake Road in Marcellus Township. Investigators found that a vehicle driven by 25-year-old Nickolas Soule of Marcellus drove off the road and crashed into a tree. Soule was driving east on Church Street when he lost control of …

Three members of Colon High School’s state-championship football team were named to the All-State squad for 8-man football. The Associated Press named wide receiver Jonathan West and linebacker Brandon Crawford to its first team, and quarterback Philip Alva made honorable mention. West caught 10 touchdowns and ran for seven more as a member of the state-champion Magi. On the other …

Members of the St. Joseph County Animal Control Board have started the agency’s 2019 holiday fundraiser. Board chair Kristina Eaton said the collection involves donation boxes placed at businesses around the county. Proceeds will be pooled for the purchase of new beds, blankets and chew toys for animals spending Christmas at the shelter. Participating businesses are Lake Area Vet, Sturgis …

St. Joseph County Grange Fair officials on Friday announced a new carnival/midway vendor, Skerbeck Entertainment Group. The Fennville-based company will make its St. Joseph County debut at the 2020 grange fair. Skerbeck Entertainment Group will bring more than 28 rides to the 2020 fair, focusing on state-fair-quality equipment with enough variety to appeal to most fair-goers. Highlights of the new …