Man arrested for drug house

The Cass County Drug Enforcement Team executed a search warrant Wednesday in the 400 block of Walnut Street in the city of Dowagiac.

During a search of the residence, detectives located a marijuana-growing operation, along with individually packaged marijuana intended for sale. Detectives also located a loaded, sawed-off shotgun and numerous other items used for the sale of illegal narcotics.

A 38-year-old male was present during the execution of the search warrant and subsequently taken into custody. He was lodged at the Cass County Jail for possession of a sawed-off shotgun, felon in possession of a firearm, felony firearm, manufacturing marijuana, possession with intent to deliver and maintaining drug house.

His name was not released prior to his arraignment.

Two arrested in Cass county

The Cass County Drug Enforcement Team seized firearms, methamphetamine, marijuana, illegally-obtained prescription drugs and meth-lab components in a search of a Porter Township residence last week.

According to Cass County officials, Blayne Wolf, 47, and Barbara Balentine, 52, were arrested following the 6:30 p.m. raid Thursday in the 13000 block of Carter Lake Street, near the community of Union.

Wolf and Balentine were arraigned in 4th District Court Friday and are being held on $60,000 bond for 10 counts of narcotics and firearms-related charges, according to investigators.

Woman arrested for drug house

A citizen’s tip led the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team last week to a Porter Township residence, where marijuana and hashish were discovered.

Sheriff Joe Underwood said a report of suspected illegal activity at a residence in the 15000 block of U.S. 12 led detectives to the address around 11:30 a.m. Thursday.

After investigators discovered the drugs, 27-year-old Melissa Goodman was taken into custody. In addition, representatives from Child Protective Services took three children into protective custody.

Goodman was arraigned in 4th District Court Friday and charged with possession with intent to manufacture hash, possession of marijuana and maintaining a drug house.

She was taken to the Cass County Jail.

Woman and children injured in accident

A Three Rivers woman and her two children were treated for injuries after they were involved in a one-car accident over the weekend.

Cass County officials said Ginnie Wallace, 40, was driving east on U.S. 12 in Porter Township when she fell asleep and drove into a generator and pole, according to a department media release.

The incident occurred at 7:50 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of Vera Drive.

Wallace was transported by ambulance to Elkhart General Hospital, where she was treated for unspecified injuries. Her passengers, ages 9 and 7 years, were treated at the scene and released to family members.

Alcohol was not a factor in the accident and seatbelts were worn.

Swiss Valley now open

Officials from Swiss Valley Ski and Snowboarding have announced the facility opened for business over the weekend.

Located near the Cass County community of Jones, Swiss Valley has information related to lift and rental rates, and hours of operation, on its website: skiswissvalley.com.

Woman struck and injured by vehicle

A Cass County woman was listed in serious condition after she was struck by a vehicle driven by a Constantine resident Monday.

According to the Cass County Sheriff’s Department, 42-year-old Lori Wilkes was injured following the incident on U.S. 12 near Union Road, east of Edwardsburg. The report said Wilkes was walking in the roadway when she was struck by an eastbound vehicle driven by Franklin Strawser, 68, around 6:30 p.m.

A media release said seatbelts were worn by the driver and alcohol was not a factor in the incident.

Wilkes was taken to Memorial Hospital in South Bend.

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