Government

Sheriff’s deputy dragged, suspect arrested

An arrest was made last week following an incident in which a Cass County sheriff’s deputy was dragged a short distance by a suspect trying to flee in a vehicle from authorities. Sheriff Richard Behnke said the situation unfolded shortly after 11 p.m. Thursday, when deputies responded to an in-progress theft of a travel trailer on Savage Road in Marcellus …

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Man dies in Mendon Township field

State police troopers are investigating the death of a 37-year-old man who died over the weekend in Mendon Township. Trooper Cody King said authorities were called to a field in the 26000 block of Simpson Road in response to a pickup that had crashed into a tree in a tree line in an open field. An adult in the bed …

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Governor will sign insurance bill

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will sign a bill to cut the country’s highest auto premiums following a landmark deal that was reached with legislative leaders and approved by large margins in the House and Senate. The changes will follow a years-long impasse in the state over generous but mandatory health benefits that are included in every car insurance policy under …

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Body found in Sturgis – Man arrested

Authorities are investigating the death of Kelly-Jien Warner-Miller, whose body was found Thursday at a home in the 200 block of North Maple Street in Sturgis. Wade Allen, 35, has been arrested in connection with the case. Allen is charged with open murder, dismemberment of a corpse and failure to report a death, according to court documents. Around 11 p.m. …

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Man dies in farm related accident

A Cass County man died last week in a farming-related accident. Rocky Stoner, 19, of Marcellus, was killed Thursday at Sparks Cedarlee Farms in Penn Township. Cass County sheriff ’s officials said Stoner and another employee were moving a metal roof truss. Stoner was holding the steel truss as the other employee worked a forklift to move the truss into …

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Ten departments battle fire

A Park Township manufacturing plant sustained heavy damage from a fire early Saturday. Authorities said no injuries were reported as a result of the 1 a.m. fire at Simpson’s Enterprise Inc., located in the 55000 block of Franklin Drive in Park Township. The blaze required the services of 10 area departments. Officials said flames were visible through the roof of …

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State house approves car insurance revision

State Rep. Aaron Miller joined House legislators last week in giving approval to a proposal that brings lower car-insurance prices to residents and families across the state, primarily through consumer choice. The plan guarantees lower rates for all drivers in Michigan, mending the state’s no-fault system and reducing what currently is the highest average car insurance premium in the nation. …

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County commission approves energy-savings resolution

St. Joseph County’s government buildings will likely be undergoing an energy-savings process, following action taken Tuesday by the board of commissioners. The five-member panel approved a resolution in support of pursuing an agreement with New York-based ABM Building Solutions, which has guaranteed energy savings through analysis of county-owned buildings, including its historic courthouse, courts building, jail and annex buildings. County …

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Several arrests made in traffic stop

Four people were arrested last weekend following a report of disorderly conduct at a location in Sturgis. According to a department media release, Sturgis officers were called at 11:52 p.m. Sunday to the 500 block of East Hatch Street. Officers immediately observed a sport-utility vehicle leaving the scene and being driven in an erratic manner. Officers conducted a traffic stop …

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Sturgis man arrested on assault charges

A 27-year-old Sturgis man was charged with assault and battery following an incident last week. Sturgis police said officers responded shortly after 7:30 p.m. Wednesday to an area near the intersection of South Nottawa and Congress streets regarding an assault. Officers found that the suspect had been involved in an incident with a 65-year-old man. The victim sustained injuries that …

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