St Joseph County

Pat Yoder’s first St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday was a quick but uneventful experience. Yoder, who took over as county administrator Monday, sat in on his first county commission meeting in 20 years, as he previously held the position from 1990 to 1994. The 63-year-old Yoder was hired for the job after Judy West-Wing retired in January. …

A 47-year-old Sturgis man was arrested earlier this week on warrants related to criminal sexual conduct. Sturgis Police said Mario Delgado, who lives in the 600 block of South Orange Street, was arrested at noon Monday at his residence, where police executed a five-count warrant. All five counts stem from incidents of criminal sexual conduct involving victims between 6 and …

About 400 gallons of sanitary sewage was contained following an overflow incident shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday in Three Rivers. Officials from the Department of Public Services said the overflow occurred at U.S. 131 and Broadway Road. A blockage of the sewer line was cleared about 30 minutes after the incident was detected. Sewage pumped from the site was taken …

Police are continuing their investigation regarding a suspect involved in a home invasion early Thursday on South Jefferson Street in Sturgis. Sturgis Police said a resident at the home was confronted in his kitchen by a masked intruder and a struggle ensued. The family dog bit the intruder, causing him to flee, police said. Authorities said the intruder is about …

A late-night fire last week in Flowerfield Township destroyed a house, barns and other outbuildings. The blaze was reported at 9 p.m. Thursday in the 52000 block of Johnson Road. It appears the fire started in a barn and spread quickly to the residence and other buildings, investigators said. It took more than three hours to extinguish the fire. Two …

Spring brush and leaf pickup in Sturgis continues this week after beginning Monday. Department of Public Services crew members are starting the process at the north side of the city and working their way south. Weather conditions and varying amounts of brush make it difficult to adhere to a strict schedule, city officials said, so residents should have materials ready …

A 96-year-old woman, who has played a key role in two longstanding local traditions, has been selected as Three Rivers Citizen of the Year for 2013. Carol Boulette was named the recipient, bestowed annually since 1965 by members of the Three Rivers Lions Club. Boulette played a hand in the formation of the Three Rivers Water Festival as well as …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department uncovered a methamphetamine operation and a substantial quantity of meth following the execution of a search warrant last week in Fabius Township. The Friday incident took place following an investigation by the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit at a residence in the 58000 block of County Line Road. A department media release indicated …

Various tools were stolen during a breaking-and-entering incident that occurred early last Wednesday in Sturgis Township. According to a media release from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, a plasma cutter, cutting torches with tanks, numerous hand tools, and chop saws and grinders were taken. A suspect vehicle is a 2003 or 2004 Chevy work truck, white in color.

The Prairie River Watershed and wetlands in St. Joseph County will be at the center of a presentation Wednesday. Overseen by the St. Joseph County Conservation District and its counterpart in Branch County, the two-hour event begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Dresser Auditorium at Glen Oaks Community College. Presenter Rachel Smith, coordinator of the Prairie River Watershed Protection Plan, …