News

A Michigan sheriff pledged Tuesday to review his department’s guidelines for transporting suspects charged with violent crimes after an detainee who was cuffed in front rather than behind his back wrested a gun from a deputy and killed two court bailiffs. Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey initially told reporters that Larry Darnell Gordon wasn’t handcuffed at all Monday during the …

APPOINTMENT PROCESS EXPLAINED There seem to be some misconceptions regarding the appointment of the St. Joseph County Clerk and Register of Deeds. Here is an explanation of the process that took place prior to my retirement on June 30, 2015 regarding the appointment of Lindsay Oswald. It is the duty of the Circuit Judge to make the appointment of the …

A Sturgis man died over the weekend from injuries he suffered in a two-vehicle accident July 2 in Burr Oak Township. Family members said Jimmy Whitt, 55, passed away shortly after he was taken off life support Sunday afternoon at Bronson Methodist Hospital. Sheriff’s deputies said a United States Postal Service mail-transfer truck driven by 55-year-old Kenelm Digby, of Otsego, …

A 25-year-old Leonidas man was injured over the weekend after he was in a crash. Sheriff’s deputies said Isaac Eicher was driving north on Farrand Road in Colon Township, where he lost control of his vehicle shortly after 5 a.m. Sunday. The vehicle rolled over and struck a tree. Eicher was extricated from the vehicle. Investigators said he was not …

The Michigan Department of Transportation wishes to alert the public about a railroad crossing closure in Cass County starting next week. MDOT said the crossing on M-216 in the village of Marcellus will be undergoing repairs by Canadian National Railway beginning Monday. Due to the scope of work, the project will not be completed until Aug. 10. The posted detour …

Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County is looking for comments and feedback regarding its plan to apply for a substance-abuse license through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. If approved, the license will allow the agency to provide assessment, referral, outpatient, individual, group sessions, case management, early intervention, integrated treatment, peer support, recovery …

Records show a jail inmate who killed two bailiffs at a southwestern Michigan courthouse was locked up on major felony charges. State police records say Larry Darnell Gordon was charged in April with criminal sexual conduct, assault with a dangerous weapon and kidnapping. Authorities say the 44-year-old inmate overpowered a sheriff’s deputy at the Berrien County courthouse Monday, took his …

A southwestern Michigan police department has changed its policy on pursuits after a motorist was killed after her vehicle was hit by another car fleeing police. Portage’s public safety Director Richard White tells WOOD-TV his department is no longer chasing motorists for minor offenses. Officers still will chase violent felons and drivers posing threats to the public. White says: “I …

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce will have to delay the fourth annual “Treasures of St. Joseph County” event. Designed after the CBS program, “The Amazing Race,” this year’s Treasures event was supposed to take place this coming Sunday. Chamber CEO Christy Trammell said a re-scheduled date has been tentatively set for Sept. 11. Additional …

Two enclosed trailers were stolen over the weekend from a location in Mottville Township. State police investigators were called around 7 a.m. Saturday to the 68000 block of Union Road, where the victim told authorities the trailers were likely taken between 6 and 7 o’clock that morning. One measures eight-feet-wide by 20-feet in length. The second trailer is five-feet wide …