Scissors removed from body cavity of offender

BY STAN MADDUX

Police are investigating a pair of scissors located inside an individual getting booked into the La Porte County Jail.

La Porte County Police said everyone arrested must take part in a body scan before released into the jail.

In this case, the scanning device produced the image of a metal object inside the anal cavity of the offender on May 17.

Quickly, the object was confirmed as a pair of scissors during a second scan of the person, police said.

Police said the scissors, measuring over eight inches in length, were safely removed from the individual a short time later without injuring the offender.

The body scanner was purchased in 2017 for about

$100,000 in response to drugs finding their way into the jail.

Ever since, drugs and even tattooing equipment have been among the items recovered from inside offenders being checked in, police said.

This time, La Porte County Police Capt. Derek Allen says the scanner kept a potential weapon out of the jail.

“It’s proven time and time again to prevent foreign material from making their way into the jail and, ultimately, ensuring the safety and security of all, not just inmates but staff,” he said.

Allen said the motive for concealing the scissors in that manner remains investigation.

The name of the offender was not released.

Police snare fentanyl dealer on john

BY STAN MADDUX

An alleged fentanyl dealer from Michigan City was exposed by law enforcement on a public toilet.

Armon Sanders, 24, is charged in La Porte Superior Court 1 with multiple counts, including dealing in a narcotic drug.

He could face a potentially lengthy prison sentence but he’s lucky to be alive considering he concealed a large amount of fentanyl inside a body cavity, police said.

According to court documents, he fled from the passenger side of a vehicle stopped for a traffic violation on May 13 and continued to run despite repeated commands by police for him to stop.

Police said he was spotted placing a backpack and jacket into a trash can behind a residence in the 100 block of Orchard Street before grabbed by law enforcement.

He was taken in for questioning at the police department, where he expressed a need to use the bathroom.

A short time later, an officer suspecting he was trying to dispose of drugs asked him to stand up from the toilet.

Police said Sanders grabbed a plastic baggie from the toilet and tried placing it back into his rectum.

According to court documents, police were able to take possession of the baggie, which contained 75 tablets containing fentanyl.

Sanders is also accused of having about a half pound of marijuana elsewhere on his possession.

There have been instances where people have overdosed just from their hands coming into contact with money and other items containing just trace amounts of residue from drug.

In this case, Sanders was protected from absorbing the fentanyl by the plastic but he likely would have died had the baggie somehow punctured or became untied while inside of him, authorities said.

New Buffalo Library Talk To Examines Eastland Disaster

Apresentation at the New Buffalo Township Library at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 30, will examine the Eastland disaster, the 1915 sinking of a ship bound for Michigan City that killed 844 people.

Docked in the Chicago River, the S.S. Eastland carried 2,500 Western Electric employees and their families headed for an annual picnic in Washington Park. Moments after boarding, the ship rolled over on its port side in 20 feet of water, trapping passengers inside.

The disaster wiped out entire families and shocked Chicago and the nation. It remains the greatest loss-of-life event in Great Lakes history. The presenter will be James Retseck, past president of the Michigan City Historical Society and the Old Lighthouse Museum. The New Buffalo Township Library is located at 33 N. Thompson Street in downtown New Buffalo. The presentation is free and open to all and is part of the Friends of the New Buffalo Library’s Community Forum series. — STAFF REPORTS

Hikers Plan Dune Climb At Warren Dunes

The Harbor Country Hikers will hike up and over one of Warren Dunes State Park’s famous sand dunes during a June 3 hike. In brief introductory comments, leader and hikers president Pat Fisher will explain how nature builds dunes and anchors them with plants. The hike will get underway at 10 a.m.

The first stretch is a climb on mostly hard surfaces. There’s a great view of Lake Michigan from the dune crest. The trail to the beach is loose sand, and challenging. The Hikers recommends participants wear long pants, a sun hat, sturdy shoes or boots and insect repellent, and bring plenty of water.

Hiking distance is two miles, and physical difficulty is rated moderate to difficult. Though membership is preferred, all are welcome at this hike. For more information, including directions and parking instructions, visit harborcountryhikers.com or Harbor Country Hikers on Facebook. — STAFF REPORTS

CITY OF NEW BUFFALO BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN

ORDINANCE NO. 260

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 5-5, “ADOPTION OF INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE,” OF ARTICLE II, “PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE,” CHAPTER 5, “BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION,” OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO CLARIFY PROSECUTION PROCEDURES

THE CITY OF NEW BUFFALO ORDAINS:

Section 1. Amendment of Section 5-5 of the Code of Ordinances.

Section 5-5, “Adoption of International Property Maintenance Code,” Article II, “Property Maintenance Code,” Chapter 5, “Building and Construction,” of the Code of Ordinances of the City of New Buffalo is amended to read as follows:

The International Property Maintenance Code, 2015 Edition, as promulgated and published by the International Code Council, is adopted by reference as the property maintenance code of the City of New Buffalo, and made a part of this subject to the following modifications:

A. Section 101.1. Insert: “City of New Buffalo.”

B. Section 102.3.1. Add section to read:

References to Other Codes.

Whenever the “International Building Code” or “building code” is referenced in this Code it shall mean the Michigan Building Code. Whenever the “International Mechanical Code” is referenced in this Code it shall mean the