IONIA, Mich. (WLNS) — A lady in Ionia County claims she’s been a prisoner in her own residence for years due to her next-door neighbor’s yard capturing.
Lois Laroe has lived in her Ionia dwelling for many years, and whereas she says she’s reached out to Ionia Township officers a number of instances, she additionally says no one will do something about it.
Lois Laroe. (WLNS)
Whether or not it’s through the day or at night time, Laroe says she hasn’t had a second of peace since her next-door neighbor, Casey Wagner, moved in 3 years in the past.
Laroe says her neighbor makes use of high-caliber weapons and makes use of tannorite as nicely, which she says causes loud explosions.
“I haven’t been out in my yard to do anything,” said Laroe. “I mean, I’m a prisoner of my own home.”
Laroe says the explosions should not solely destroying her high quality of life, but additionally damaging her property.
A gap in Lois’ window. (WLNS)
“I’ve acquired a gap within the windshield of my automobile from March 18,” mentioned Laroe.
She additionally claims she’s discovered proof of retaliation, however hasn’t gotten any assist from authorities.
“We found a balloon that said ‘Snitch’ on it,” said Laroe. “I’ve been down to the sheriff’s office several times. I have been everywhere asking for help.”
The balloon. (Courtesy Lois Laroe)
Greg Sipka, Laroe’s neighbor, says he additionally steadily hears gunshots and explosions close to his dwelling, and that it acquired so dangerous, he needed to file a police report.
“You’d hear them at 10:00 at night time. You’d hear them at 6 a.m. You’d hear them at 2:30 at night time,” mentioned Sipka.
“It took two days to get a sheriff to come to my home to take the report, and then after seven weeks, approximately,” said Sipka. “Checked with the sheriff’s office, and the case had been closed.”
Greg Sipka. (WLNS)
Sipka says again in September, township and state officers held a gathering to attempt to resolve the difficulty.
“At the time, Township Supervisor Ionia County [sic] Kurt Scheurer read it with Representative Gina Johnson that this point forward, we’re going to be issuing citations,” said Sipka. “You can’t be doing these explosions.”
In accordance with Ionia Township Ordinance Part 8: Breach of Peace: “No person shall disturb the public peace and quiet by loud or boisterous conduct.”
So, 6 Information reached out ot the Ionia County Sheriff’s Division, and acquired a press release from Sheriff Charlie Noll:
Ionia. (WLNS)
“We have an open investigation on this situation. I will not make any comments on this at this time.”
Sipka claims Wagner stopped for a couple of months between September 2025 and January 2026, following a gathering with Consultant Gina Johnson and an area pastor. Nonetheless, Sipka and Laroe declare that Wagner nonetheless continues the explosions.
Laroe claims Wagner has not been cited, and urges township leaders to do extra to guard group members.
6 Information reached out to Ionia Township officers by cellphone and electronic mail a number of instances all through the week. We additionally went in particular person to township workplaces, however have been advised nobody was out there, and there have been no set enterprise hours.
We additionally reached out to Wagner by cellphone, by textual content, and tried to achieve out in particular person. We additionally tried to achieve out to his father, Richard Wagner, by cellphone. We didn’t obtain a response from him.
6 Information will maintain you up to date as quickly as we obtain an replace from Wagner, the sheriff’s workplace, or township officers.
