News

Authorities say a 52-year-old man has died after being struck in the head by a propeller while trying to start a single-engine airplane in southwestern Michigan. The Kalamazoo County sheriff’s department says Michael Westveer of Vicksburg died following the Monday accident at a private airstrip in Brady Township. Undersheriff Paul Matyas says investigators believe the man was trying to hand-crank …

The debate over the start time for St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meetings will be settled later this year. At the request of Commissioner John Dobberteen, the issue of a 5 p.m. start versus a 6 p.m. call to order will be revisited in June. The new-look county commission – a five-member board that starting Jan. 1 featured three …

A 24-year-old Constantine man was arrested after he led police on a pursuit last weekend. State police attempted to stop a car at 6:40 p.m. Saturday on Featherstone Road, near Constantine Road. The driver of the suspect vehicle, however, fled at a high rate of speed. The driver eventually pulled into a private driveway and fled on foot. The trooper …

Jason Therrien has been hired as the newest member of the Constantine Police Department. Therrien, who was hired Feb. 11, joins the force as a lieutenant. Village Manager Mark Honeysett said Therrien was recommended by officers who work for the Constantine Police Department and the Three Rivers Police Department. Honeysett said Therrien was described as extremely knowledgeable and possessing a …

A Portage native has been selected as the next superintendent of Centreville Public Schools. Members of the district’s board of education chose Stephanie Lemmer to replace Rob Kuhlman after he concludes a seven-year tenure as superintendent in June. The decision was made based on two finalist interviews Saturday at Centreville High School. Lemmer has served as director of Head Start …

Two Indiana men are in the Elkhart County Jail awaiting extradition to Michigan after leading Michigan State Police on a high-speed chase last weekend. The pair, a 21-year-old from Topeka and a 20-year-old from Goshen, was arrested by Indiana authorities after crashing a stolen car. About 7 p.m. Sunday, a state police trooper attempted to stop the northbound vehicle on …

A 38-year-old Calhoun County man was treated for minor injuries after he was involved in a single-vehicle accident over the weekend in Colon Township. Sheriff’s officials said Lawrence Riggio III, of Athens, was driving east on M-86 when he swerved his vehicle to avoid striking an animal in the path of his travel near Farrand Road. The vehicle proceeded about …

State Rep State Rep. Aaron Miller of Sturgis invites his constituents to meet with him during in-district gatherings later this week. Miller emphasized the importance of accountability and availability to people, saying accessibility goes hand-in-hand with good representation. Miller will be available 9 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at Vandalia Village Hall in Cass County, and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. …

A Yamaha four-wheeler was stolen last week from a residence in Fabius Township. Sheriff’s investigators said the incident occurred between 10 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. Friday behind a residence in the 14000 block of Drummond Road. Deputies said the suspects had removed a black, 2002 Yamaha 347-CC quad from the property. The vehicle was being restored and not operable in …

A White Pigeon man was injured Tuesday morning in a car/pedestrian accident. County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the intersection of US-131 and US-12 shortly before 6am. The pedestrian was identified as 51-year-old Lonnie Bingaman. The car, driven by Matthew Thomas, 27, of White Pigeon, was westbound on US-12. The incident remains under investigation.