Government

Sheriff’s department investigators were called last week to a Park Township residence in response to a breaking-and-entering situation. According to a department media release, deputies were called shortly before 8 p.m. Thursday to the 17000 block of Marcellus Road, where a residence and several outbuildings were broken into. The victim speculated the incident occurred between Oct. 21 and Oct. 24. …

An over-the-back leaf blower was stolen last week from a residence in Constantine Township. State police investigators were called at 6:30 a.m. Thursday to a residence on Peck Academy Road, between Youngs Prairie and Preston roads. The victim discovered tire tracks leading to a barn, where the leaf blower was stored. Tire tracks indicate the vehicle was likely a front-wheel …

Sturgis city commissioners recently took up an offer of more than $500,000 from the Michigan Department of Transportation to help pay for the final phase of the South Nottawa Street brick restoration paving. The city received a conditional commitment from MDOT in April for a grant that will augment city funds for the $1 million project. The city pledged just …

The September unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by two-tenths of a percent compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 3.5 percent September unemployment rate was less than August’s 3.7 percent. September’s unemployment rate was identical to the same month one year earlier, when …

A Sturgis native working in Alaska for the Fairbanks Police Department has died from complications related to surgery after he was shot five times earlier this month. Sgt. Allen Brandt, a 2000 graduate of Sturgis High School, died after complications arose from surgery to have shrapnel removed from his eye following the Oct. 16 shooting. Brandt, an 11-year veteran of …

A variety of stolen items was discovered by sheriff’s deputies following a traffic stop at 1 a.m. Thursday in Park Township. According to a department media release, a road patrol sergeant stopped a dirt bike on Buckhorn Road near Heimbach Road. During their investigation, deputies found that the dirt bike had been stolen out of Cass County the day before. …

A Fairbanks Police sergeant who was shot in the line of duty last week died Friday after complications from surgery, the department said. “Fairbanks lost a hero today,” Deputy Chief Brad Johnson said at a press briefing that was broadcast live on Facebook. “I’m sorry to have to let you know that earlier this afternoon Sgt. Allen Brandt lost the …

The Michigan appeals court has ruled the state’s child-abuse law doesn’t apply to unborn babies, a decision that was made in response to a case involving a Sturgis woman. The court threw out the conviction of Melissa Jones, who used methamphetamine during her pregnancy. Jones’ son weighed less than 4 pounds despite being delivered at full term in Sturgis. In …

A judge has refused to suspend her order that allows Michigan voters to take photos of their completed ballot in the Nov. 8 election. Citing the First Amendment, Grand Rapids federal Judge Janet Neff blocked Michigan’s ban on taking so-called ballot selfies. The secretary of state is appealing. The judge said Wednesday that she won’t freeze her decision while the …

A trio of Three Rivers men was charged with various offenses following an incident at Riverside Townhouses Tuesday. According to the Three Rivers Police Department, officers were called around 1 a.m. to 1200 Hov Aire Drive in response to someone jumping on a car and smashing its windshield. Three suspects fled the scene when officers arrived. One was arrested along …