News

Cass County deputies responded over the weekend to a two-vehicle crash in Mason Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly before 6 a.m. Saturday to U.S. 12, near Trout Road. Investigators said 24-year-old Kelsey Larsh of Three Rivers was westbound on U.S. 12 when an eastbound vehicle driven by 45-year-old Drew Baker of South Bend crossed the centerline …

Members of the Constantine Village Council this week reviewed the most recent draft of an ordinance allowing medical marijuana facilities to operate in the village. The council set a special meeting for 7 p.m. Tuesday, when council members will consider a resolution to permit medical marijuana facilities. Michigan’s new medical marijuana licensing system begins Dec. 15. The state will accept licensing …

A Sturgis psychologist was sentenced to 28 months in prison after pleading guilty to executing a health care fraud scheme. George Compton Jr., 63, was sentenced Nov. 21 by U. S. District Court Judge Gordon Quist. Compton had operated a psychology practice in Coldwater. In a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Compton was accused of billing numerous health care …

The remains of a Navy radioman killed in a World War II plane crash have been returned to his western Michigan hometown. A military escort carried the casket of Navy Reserve Aviation Radioman 2nd Class Albert Rybarczyk into a St. Joseph funeral home on Thursday. Military officials identified his remains in August from among wreckage found in 2014. Rybarczyk was …

Sheriff’s deputies arrested a suspect earlier this week on drug-related charges. A vehicle was stopped Monday near the intersection of Arthur L. Jones and Corey Lake roads in Fabius Township. The driver, whose gender, age and community of residence was not stated in a department media release, was found to be driving on a suspended license. Upon a consent search …

The St. Joseph County United Way is offering a 50/50 Christmas Cash Raffle. The drawing takes place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Sturgis City Commission meeting. Tickets, which are one for $5 or three for $10, can be purchased at the United Way’s Centreville office. All proceeds benefit the local United Way agency.

Sheriff’s deputies made a traffic stop this week that led to a drug-related charge. According to a department media release, a traffic stop was conducted Tuesday near the intersection of Hoffman and Ruggles roads in Fabius Township. Upon a search of the vehicle, deputies found a plastic pen tube. The residue on its inside tested positive for methamphetamine. The suspect, …

Sturgis Hospital has announced the expansion of its Outpatient Infusion Services. Outpatient infusion therapy can save patients out-of-pocket expenses in comparison to inpatient hospitalization, emergency room services and home-health services. Patients who need regular injections or IV therapy already experience the inconvenience of having healthcare visits monthly, weekly or even daily, said Rob LaBarge, President and CEO of Sturgis Hospital. …

St. Joseph County’s board of commissioners have approved a dedicated millage to fund the parks and recreation department. Tuesday’s action means an additional one-quarter of a mill will be imposed countywide in 2018. Over its four-year life, the millage is expected to generate about $485,000 annually. Commissioners said the move will ease constraints on the general fund while helping parks and …

The St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit found evidence of a marijuana-growing operation at the scene of a Nov. 28 homicide. During the course of their investigation into the homicide in the 27000 block of Maystead Road in Sherman Township, SCAN members confiscated a large volume of marijuana that police say is far beyond medical-marijuana limits. Investigators also seized equipment used …