News

A man charged with two murders in July has been found competent to stand trial. Zachary Michael Patten, 32, of Portage, also waived his preliminary during a recent hearing in St. Joseph County District Court. Prosecutor John McDonough said a status conference will be held by the end of November. Patten was found competent following a psychological evaluation at Center …

Two men were charged with attempted murder and drug-related offenses following an incident earlier this week in Park Township. Prosecutor John McDonough said the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics Unit, along with another deputy, set up an undercover buy for an undisclosed quantity of methamphetamine. The sale was set up to take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday outside a business …

State Rep. Aaron Miller this week voted for a bill that paves the way for Michigan to join the Interstate Library Compact and allow local libraries to enter into agreements for full access to libraries across state lines. Currently, Michigan is not a member and residents who live close to state borders have been denied the use of library facilities …

The St. Joseph County Grange Fair Board has added two volunteers to its Hall of Fame. Honorees were Joan Lindsley and Jim Gushwa. Lindsley has served the St. Joseph County 4-H program for more than 50 years. During that time, she was actively supporting youth with various projects. Lindsley for the past several years has organized the annual market livestock …

Three teenagers were charged with a variety of offenses after they were found to be in possession of stolen firearms and burglary tools. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, a minivan was stopped around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday on Liberty Street near Michigan Avenue in Three Rivers for a moving violation. While on the stop, the deputy observed a …

A Vicksburg woman won a substantial amount of money recently thanks to a scratch-off lottery ticket. Amanda Dietz claimed the $300,000 prize Tuesday at state lottery headquarters in Lansing. According to a media release from the agency, the 35-year-old Dietz won the money playing a Multi-Prize Bingo instant game. She purchased the winning ticket at the Speedway gas station in …

A 33-year-old Colon man was charged with attempted murder of a law-enforcement official following an incident Tuesday afternoon in Colon Township. State police officials said troopers were dispatched to the 32000 block of Eleanor Drive in response to a suicidal subject with a gun. A family member arrived on the scene and attempted to talk the suspect into surrendering. The …

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has approved legislation authored by State Rep. Aaron Miller to allow golf carts on state trunk lines in some small communities as long as certain stipulations are met. Currently, a village or city of fewer than 30,000 residents may adopt a resolution allowing golf carts to be operated on streets. However, the law currently …

Investigators from Michigan State Police are looking into a breaking-and-entering incident in Lockport Township. Troopers were called at 6 a.m. Tuesday to the 57000 block of Haines Road, where unauthorized entrance into a residence took place sometime between Oct. 20 and Oct. 23. The suspects broke into the residence and took keys to a 1989 Ford Crown Victoria, tan in …

A Constantine man was injured in a one-vehicle accident Tuesday morning in Sherman Township. State police said a car driven by Daniel Lalonde, 46, swerved to avoid striking an animal on North Centerville Road near Mintdale Road around 6 a.m. Tuesday. Lalonde’s pickup struck a utility pole, investigators said. He was transported to Sturgis Hospital. Investigators said neither alcohol nor …