Another chance for mother of three
COLDWATER — As a prosecutor 17-years-ago, Branch County Circuit Judge Bill O’Grady asked himself, "Who are these two sisters, Bernice and Briennie Brown, I am seeing in all my police reports?"Briennie...
View ArticleProstitution survivor says it’s ‘about the exploitation,’ not about Patriots...
Nicole Bell’s phone has been ringing off the hook since the story broke that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft was charged with two counts of soliciting prostitution at a day spa in Florida.The...
View ArticleLegionella case confirmed in Allegan County
An investigation is underway by health officials into a confirmed case of Legionella, Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency Disease Prevention Director Yvonne Atwood reported to the board...
View ArticleStempien named chief assistant prosecutor
Just a day after receiving Branch County Commission approval to hire an assistant, Branch County Prosecutor Valerie White named local attorney Zachary W. Stempien to fill the vacant position of chief...
View ArticleFla. pastor sentenced to 100 years in child-sex case
Florida Circuit Judge John Kastrenakes said he was glad to hear from family and friends who know Palm Beach County pastor James Jackson as an encouraging, positive light in so many peoples’ lives. He...
View ArticleCops: Drunk man shoots friend in leg inside Ohio bowling alley
Stark County Sheriff’s deputies say a northwest Canton, Ohio, man was intoxicated in a bowling alley when he accidentally shot his friend in the leg late Friday night.The intoxicated man then threw the...
View ArticleHamlin back to face auto theft charges
By Don Reid dwreid@aol.com Coldwater Police returned 38-year-old Andrew Paul Hamlin to Branch County Saturday to face three charges of vehicle theft after a bizarre series of crimes in February. He had...
View ArticleTrial delayed in kidnaping case
The trial of two couples charged with in a conspiracy to kidnap a young child at an area county fair will be delayed until at least May. The four defendants were charged for conspiracy to kidnap a...
View ArticleRodgers to face charges in circuit court
Jason Lee Rodgers, 37, was bound over to Branch County Circuit Court to face charges of for unlawful imprisonment and assault with a dangerous weapon —a piece of wood, a knife and gun — during an...
View ArticleMore prison time added for Mosher
Admitted drug addict Michael Mosher, 36, will serve 23 months to 10 years for possession of meth last August.Mosher, who has a long history of drug use, warned Circuit Judge Bill O’Grady meth and...
View ArticleTexas kindergarten teacher tried to stab boyfriend after he refused sex,...
A Texas kindergarten teacher who was charged Monday in a knife assault on her boyfriend was angry because he would not have sex with her, according to court documents.Yamile Uribe, 41, who is a teacher...
View ArticleN.C. sex trafficker gets 230 years, ordered to pay $608,000 restitution
Robin T. Applewhite of Cumberland County, N.C., was sentenced on Tuesday morning in Cumberland County Superior Court to at least 230 years behind bars, but no more than 299 years, following his...
View ArticleArchitect displays Branch County Jail design concept
Architect Joe Mrak presented the concept design for the new Branch County Jail to the County Planning Commission Wednesday morning.The concept came after a two day meeting with county staff to plan how...
View ArticleOtis sent for mental evaluation
GRAND RAPIDS — Quincy resident, Dale Otis, Jr., 50, has been sent to a federal psychiatric center for evaluation after an indictment by a federal grand jury in November on child pornography...
View ArticleBranch County Sheriff considers third term
There was no official announcement, but comments at the Matteson Township Board meeting Wednesday indicated Sheriff John Pollack will seek a third term.Pollack discussed plans for the new Branch County...
View ArticleCops: Man broke into Arizona woman's home while she slept, made tortillas
An Arizona man is facing criminal charges after he allegedly broke into a woman's apartment, cooked tortillas and then stole a can of soup on his way out, police say.Alex Herron tells Phoenix TV...
View ArticleTorres back in prison for attack
COLDWATER — Daniel Torres, 49, will go to prison for two years, five months to four year for assaulting a neighbor Dec. 2, breaking her jaw and almost severing her ear lobe. Branch County Circuit Judge...
View ArticleWalters pleas in purse theft
COLDWATER — Daniel Walters, 33, will be sentenced April 22 after he pleaded guilty to possession of meth and larceny of a purse from Snyder’s Laundromat Jan. 13. Branch County Circuit Judge Bill...
View ArticlePolice: Dad brought loaded AK-47 to Florida middle school
When Christopher Freeman’s son FaceTimed him in tears Monday afternoon from school, the 27-year-old father knew something was wrong.The boy told Freeman that a teacher at Bear Lakes Middle School in...
View ArticleBartell warns of more crime with marijuana legalization
The soon to retire City of Coldwater Public Safety Director, Mark Bartell, had a prediction and warning to the council Monday night in his final report With legalization of recreational marijuana,...
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