News

A jury has convicted a Cass County man of sexual assault following an August 2022 incident at his Dowagiac residence. Prosecutor Victor Fitz said Robert Schmeltz, 58, was convicted earlier this month. He was found guilty of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. According to court testimony, Schmeltz was arrested after assaulting a 65-year-old woman working in the capacity of a home …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the larceny of a catalytic converter from a vehicle in Branch County’s Coldwater Township. Investigators said the incident occurred that occurred between Nov. 13 and Nov. 17 in the 600 block of Chicago Street. The catalytic converter was stolen off a 2008 Ford Cutaway work truck.

Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce, Centreville Downtown Development Authority and municipal officials welcomed Nottawa Gas to its new location last week. A ceremonial ribbon cutting Friday afternoon commemorated the relocated business, which moved from its 29-year spot in Nottawa Township near the northwest corner of M-66 and M-86. It is now in Centreville’s business park, at the east end …

A Colon man was injured in a single-vehicle crash over the weekend in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were dispatched shortly before 5:30 a.m. Sunday to the intersection of Lewis Lake Road and Hodgson Street. Investigators concluded 19-year-old Caiden Adams was traveling south on Lewis Lake Road when he lost control of his vehicle, which left …

A 911 call center on Monday took some responsibility for an Amtrak train derailment last week in southwestern Michigan, saying it misidentified a crossing and contacted a different railroad to warn that a car was stuck on tracks. The train with 200 passengers crashed into the empty car and a tow truck Thursday night near New Buffalo. Six people on the train …

A longtime employee at a Schoolcraft-area business was ordered to pay nearly $200,000 in restitution after she was caught embezzling from the company. Sarah Lynn Bauserman, who lives in Climax, was recently convicted on one count of embezzlement and sentenced to probation through July 2026. In addition, she is required to repay $189,000, a stipulation she has since fulfilled. Bauserman …

A Three Rivers man was involved in a two-vehicle crash last week in Cass County’s LaGrange Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 2:15 p.m. Friday to the intersection of Pokagon Highway and Dailey Road. Investigators said 46-year-old Jesse James was traveling east on Pokagon Highway, while 29-year-old Mishawaka resident Marcus Nelson was driving northbound on Dailey Road. …

Here’s a reminder that a local entity is staging a collection of personal-hygiene products to benefit St. Joseph County’s homeless population. The drive – which concludes Nov. 30 – is being overseen by the St. Joseph County Housing Task Force to help stock hygiene closets at UCAP in Three Rivers, Building Hope Free Store in Centreville and Friday Friendship Meal …

Sturgis Kiwanis recently honored the Sturgis High School Key Club’s November students of the month. Lydia Boland, a senior, is the Key Club secretary. Meanwhile, Alexis Camacho Cardenas, a junior, is in his second year in the club. The students were invited to a recent Kiwanis luncheon, where they were given a certificate in recognition of their service to Key …

An Amtrak train heading to Chicago with 200 passengers derailed after striking an unoccupied vehicle and a tow truck in southwestern Michigan, authorities said Friday. “The engineer and approximately 10 passengers received non-life threatening injuries and were treated by local ambulance services,” the Berrien County sheriff’s office said. The train derailed but remained upright. The crash happened Thursday evening near …