Government

Guilty plea in Branch County

A Coldwater man pleaded guilty to drug-related offenses during a recent proceeding in Branch County Circuit Court Judge Bill O’Grady said 27-year-old Dylan Tompkins pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver meth and aggravated stalking. Sentencing on the 20-year drug felony and five-year stalking charge will be Oct. 10. With charges stemming from five drug sales, Tompkins came to the …

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Two men guilty of conspiring to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

A jury on Tuesday convicted two men of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020, a swift victory for prosecutors in a foiled plot that was described as a rallying cry for a U.S. civil war by anti-government extremists. Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr. were also found guilty of conspiring to obtain a weapon of mass destruction, namely a …

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Discussion continues – American Rescue Plan funds for SJC

The process of how St. Joseph County will administer $1 million of its American Rescue Plan Act funds was discussed during the county commission’s executive committee meeting last week. Commissioners entertained a number of options regarding the money and its recipients. In the end, it was decided the five county board members will individually review the 28 different requests submitted …

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Residential B&E in Branch County

Michigan State Police troopers were called to a residential breaking-and-entering incident recently in Branch County’s Batavia Township. According to a department media release, troopers responded to the 100 block of Pond Drive, where the victim told authorities she returned to her residence and found its front door open. Investigators said the front door had shoe and tool marks. The media …

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Serious injury in motorcycle crash

An Indiana man was injured after the motorcycle he was driving was struck by a semi tactor-trailer in Sturgis Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday to the intersection of M-66 and Bogen Road. The motorcycle, driven by a 50-year-old man, was traveling south on M-66 when a semi, driven by a 60-year-old man …

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B & E in Leonidas Township

Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department are looking into a breaking-and-entering incident that occurred last weekend in Leonidas Township. Investigators said they responded to the 29000 block of M-60. The victim told authorities a shed was entered either Saturday or Sunday, and several items were stolen. Items include a log splitter, small utility trailer, tools and a small …

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Man faces homicide charge after running over woman in Oshtemo Township parking lot

A Kalamazoo man was arrested and charged with first-degree homicide after intentionally running over a 65-year-old woman in a Walmart parking lot Tuesday, authorities said. The woman was walking in the parking lot located in Oshtemo Township around 12:10 p.m. when a car driven by a 32-year-old Kalamazoo man intentionally hit her, deputies with the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office said. …

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Chalking tires illegal, judge says, but city gets big break

A Michigan city violated the U.S. Constitution by chalking tires to enforce parking limits, but it won’t be forced to refund thousands of tickets in the class-action case, a judge said. Saginaw must only pay vehicle owners “nominal damages” of $1.00 for each marking, U.S. District Judge Thomas Ludington said Monday. “The basic problem is that chalking is relatively harmless,” …

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Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer tests positive for COVID-19

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has tested positive for COVID-19. The Democratic governor said in a statement that she tested positive for the virus Monday evening and is experiencing mild symptoms. Whitmer said she plans to follow proper guidance and protocols, while maintaining a remote schedule. Whitmer said all of her close contacts from Monday will be notified. “I am grateful …

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Baker defeats incumbent in District 3

A Mendon Township man defeated incumbent Kathy Pangle from the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners following Tuesday’s primary election. Unofficial results show District 3 challenger Rusty Baker topped Pangle by a margin of 55 percent to 45 percent. Baker still has a general election ahead of him in November. Barring an unlikely upset in that contest, Baker will secure …

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