Police

Michigan State players making deals in fall tunnel incident

At least four more Michigan State football players facing misdemeanor charges for a skirmish inside the Michigan Stadium tunnel will likely have their cases dismissed in exchange for community service and other conditions, lawyers said Friday. “It’s going to happen outside of court,” said Max Manoogian, an attorney for Angelo Grose. “There is going to be no criminal responsibility whatsoever. …

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Western Michigan man charged with murder in New Year gunfire

A western Michigan man was charged Wednesday with two counts of second-degree murder for allegedly firing an AR-15 rifle in celebration and killing two guests at his New Year’s party. Christopher Alan Toppenberg, 62, of Lawrence Township, also faces two gun charges. He is being held on a $1.5 million bond. It wasn’t clear whether Toppenberg has an attorney who might …

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Van Buren County – 2 killed by shots fired at New Year’s party

Authorities have identified two men who died after being shot when a man fired a gun in celebration during a fireworks display at a New Year’s part y in western Michigan. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office said Monday that the shooting killed David Reed, 35, of Waverly Township and Jason McCreary, 40, of Sutter Creek, California. Reed, who was shot in …

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Missing woman may be a crime victim

Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office issued a media release over the weekend related to a missing person. Portage resident Heather Kelley, 35, has been missing since Dec. 10, authorities said. Kelley is 5-foot-8 and weighs about 125 pounds. She has blond hair and blue eyes. Investigators said there is evidence to suggest Kelley may have been the victim of a violent …

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Fatal shooting incident in Sturgis

A 32-year-old man died after a shooting at a Sturgis business. Authorities said Jeremy Lampaert died after he was shot around 6 p.m. Thursday in the parking lot at Country Hearth Inn and Suites. The business is located at the southeast corner of Fawn River and South Centreville roads. Witnesses said they believe the shooting was the result of an …

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Kalamazoo police chief to retire after harassment complaints

A police chief in southwestern Michigan is stepping down following allegations by three female city employees of discrimination, sexual harassment and verbal abuse. Kalamazoo Public Safety Chief Vernon Coakley is on unpaid administrative leave and will retire effective Sunday with a severance package of more than $155,000, the Kalamazoo Gazette and WOOD-TV reported Thursday. Coakley has been with the public safety department for more …

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Personal injury crash in Cass County

Cass County deputies responded to a crash Tuesday in Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 4 p.m. to the intersection of Robbins Lake Road and Teasdale Lake Street. Investigators said Richard Shay, 44, of Jones, and his passenger, Rebecca Shay, 43, also of Jones, were traveling north on Robbins Lake Road. Meanwhile, David Ruth, 19, …

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Stolen vehicles and trailer recovered in raids

Michigan State Police raided two locations in St. Joseph County and another in Cass County earlier this month, recovering more than $300,000 in stolen vehicles and trailers. Investigators obtained search warrants after several months of investigation. Two properties were searched Dec. 6 in the 51000 block of Lang Road in Park Township. Also, a single property was searched in the …

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Minor injuries in US-131 crash

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a two-vehicle crash that occurred last week in the White Pigeon area. Law-enforcement officials responded Friday afternoon to U.S. 131 and Dickinson Road. Authorities said the driver of the semi, a 52-year-old man from Jackson County, was traveling north on U.S. 131 when he lost control of his vehicle. It crossed the centerline and …

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Western Michigan University alerts students after shooting

Western Michigan University alerted students to use caution Sunday following a shooting near the campus. The university issued an advisory around 4:45 a.m. to exercise caution in the area shortly after the shooting. Police found a 28-year-old Lansing resident with a gunshot wound to a shoulder after responding to a 4:20 a.m. report of shots fired. Police said the wound …

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