County Information

Several chainsaws and a gas-powered pruning saw were taken early Monday from a business in Park Township. Sheriff Brad Balk said someone broke into Fillmore Equipment, located at 16700 U.S. 131, by shattering a front window. Balk said the incident at the John Deere dealership occurred prior to employees arriving to work for the day.

The city of Sturgis has been recognized for the third consecutive year for its work to foster entrepreneurial growth and economic development. The annual honor was given following the 2012 annual eCities research project survey conducted by iLabs through the University of Michigan-Dearborn Center for Innovation Research. Sturgis was honored as a Five-Star Community, joining 27 other Five-Star and 26 …

A 34-year-old Elkhart man was charged with driving on a suspended license and open intoxicants after he was involved in a one-car crash last week in Nottawa Township. Sheriff Brad Balk said Chad Ginther was driving east on Butler Road when Ginther crossed the center line, drove off the roadway and his vehicle struck a tree east of North Angling …

A 55-year-old Sturgis man, whose license has been expired since 1987, was arrested after forcing a Michigan State Police trooper to take evasive action from being struck head-on Sunday evening in Mottville Township. The trooper was driving westbound on U.S. 12 when an oncoming vehicle forced him to drive off the roadway. The driver of the eastbound vehicle was stopped …

A hit-and-run incident in Lockport Township was reported to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department shortly before 7 o’clock Saturday night. According to a department media release, a vehicle drove into a garage door at a residence in the 20000 block of Schweitzer Road, then left the scene in an unknown direction. The door incurred heavy damage, while a vehicle …

A citizen’s tip led the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team last week to a Porter Township residence, where marijuana and hashish were discovered. Sheriff Joe Underwood said a report of suspected illegal activity at a residence in the 15000 block of U.S. 12 led detectives to the address around 11:30 a.m. Thursday. After investigators discovered the drugs, 27-year-old Melissa Goodman …

A Three Rivers woman and her two children were treated for injuries after they were involved in a one-car accident over the weekend. Cass County officials said Ginnie Wallace, 40, was driving east on U.S. 12 in Porter Township when she fell asleep and drove into a generator and pole, according to a department media release. The incident occurred at …

The St. Joseph County United Way is hoping a late push in sales of its $1 raffle tickets will help the Centreville-based agency meet its 2013 season fundraising goal. Between now and Jan. 31, the United Way is offering a $1,000 Meijer gift card with the purchase of a ticket. The drawing will take place during the agency’s Feb. 7 …

A Sturgis man was arrested last week after he fled from police during an early morning incident. Around 2 a.m. Thursday, Sturgis Police were called to the 600 block of East West Street for possible drug activity involving a person with outstanding warrants. Officers observed the man walk out the back of the residence but he fled after noticing police. …

A 33-year-old Sturgis woman was charged with felonious assault with a firearm and malicious destruction of property following an incident early Thursday in Sturgis. According to the Sturgis Police Department, officers were called at 4:48 a.m. to a residence in the 600 block of East West Street in response to a complaint of a woman refusing to leave a residence. …