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A judge has rejected a sentencing deal that carried a five-year cap for fraud committed by a farmer in southwestern Michigan. Judge Paul Maloney says it doesn’t reflect the “seriousness” of the crime. Mike Stamp had pleaded guilty to conspiracy in a scheme to defraud a government crop insurance program and lenders in Van Buren County. MLive.com reports that Stamp …

An immigrant who worked for the Roman Catholic Church in Kalamazoo has been sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for stealing fees from other immigrants. The government says Monica Mazei concealed the scheme by failing to open files for certain people and persuading them to give cash or blank checks. Mazei was ordered to pay $59,000 to her victims …

January’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was one-tenth of a percent higher than the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s 3.3 percent unemployment rate in January was down from December’s 3.4 percent. St. Joseph County was slightly below the state’s unemployment average, which was 3.5 percent in …

A vehicle left running in Yoder’s Country Market parking lot in Centreville was stolen last week. Sheriff’s officials said deputies were called at 5:10 p.m. Thursday in response to the incident. The vehicle is a dark-green Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The pickup has a salter on the back that possibly blocks the plate. The plate number is CLB452. In addition, there’s …

A Portage man led sheriff’s deputies on a vehicle pursuit last week in Park Township. According to a department media release, a deputy attempted to stop a vehicle Jan. 26 on Buckhorn Road, near Marcellus Road. The vehicle sped up and tried to avoid the deputy by turning into a driveway. In an attempt to elude authorities, the suspect drove …

A few hundred well-wishers showed up at separate events Friday to recognize Brad Balk on his retirement as St. Joseph County sheriff. The first of two ceremonies took place at Glen Oaks Community College, where State Rep. Aaron Miller, State Sen. Kim LaSata and other dignitaries presented Balk with proclamations and other mementos honoring his 11-year tenure as sheriff and …

Welcome to the next chapter of “Out and About”. I started “Out and About” in April, 2006, and I am thankful that it has lasted this long. I thank you readers for giving me the opportunity to share thoughts with you. As I’ve mentioned many times, if I can bring some humor into our daily lives, I’ve done something good …

A northern Indiana woman who pleaded guilty for her role in a hit-and-run crash that killed three people has been returned to jail after violating probation. Forty-three-year-old Penelope Grosswiler pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice for hiding evidence related to the August 2017 crash, in which a vehicle driven by her husband, Leonard Grosswiler, struck and killed a man and …

Friday was the last day Brad Balk will serve as St. Joseph County Sheriff, and two public events took place to commemorate the occasion. The 66-year-old Balk was recognized by local and state dignitaries during a program at Glen Oaks Community College. A second event, which Balk called a less-formal affair, will followed at the FOP Lodge east of Centreville. …

The village of Centreville is considering adding online payment as an option to pay monthly water bills. Village officials indicated the service could come with a 3 percent fee. Nonetheless, they are asking residents to include a note with their next payment and indicate whether they are in favor of the option or not. Also, village officials said in order …