News

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 …

Cass County deputies responded over the weekend to a two-vehicle collision in Jefferson Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were dispatched shortly before 4:30 p.m. Sunday to the intersection of M-62 and Hospital Road. Investigators found that 28-year-old Elkhart resident Nathan Herman was southbound on M-62. Meanwhile, 35-year-old Adam Kolker of Cassopolis turned southbound from Hospital Road and into Herman’s vehicle. Herman was transported …

State Rep. Aaron Miller has announced in-district office hours locations for the month of December. Miller said the best part of his job is gathering input from the people he represents. Miller added that he hopes for a good turnout for discussion on legislative priorities for the coming year. Miller will be available Monday next week at L.A. Cafe in …

A man who served 20 months in custody for a wrongful conviction is suing police. Ray McCann was repeatedly hounded by police during an investigation of a girl’s killing in St. Joseph County. McCann denied any role in the death of the 11-year-old girl but says he felt pressured to plead no contest to perjury. The conviction was thrown out …

A southwestern Michigan man has been sentenced to a year in jail for his 16-year-old son’s fatal drug overdose. Prosecutors accused Gary Birkhead of knowingly allowing his son to use illicit drugs over two years. He pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in November. Birkhead, a Bangor resident, has been in the Van Buren County jail for months and will have …

A former bar in Burr Oak Township was burglarized last week. State police said a breaking-and-entering report was filed from the former Jorge’s Bar, on U.S. 12 at Halfway Road. Several items of NASCAR memorabilia, as well as collectible knives and other items were taken from the building. The incident is believed to have occurred at some point during a …

An Elkhart man was shot after breaking in to a Cass County residence late last week. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called around 6:30 p.m. Friday to a home invasion in the 20000 block of Marcellus Highway in Violina Township. Deputies said Jonathon Niswonger, 35, and Shasta Blankenmyer, 34, were at home when the 34-year-old suspect attempted to force …