Government

Michigan’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is offering grants of $10,000 or less to shelters and other organizations that work to prevent cruelty to animals.  The agency will allocate $175,000 for the purpose next year and is accepting proposals through Nov. 10.  Registered animal control and animal protection shelters can apply for funds to help increase the adoption rate …

Investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit arrested a wanted fugitive and served a search warrant last week. SCAN officials had received information about an absconder from a federal drug case that originated this summer in St. Joseph County involving methamphetamine trafficking. Officers on Thursday set up surveillance at U.S. 12 and Oak Drive in White Pigeon Township …

Two vacant positions with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department will be filled, as the county’s board of commissioners earlier this month approved staffing the posts. One road-patrol position and a full-time job in corrections will be filled once viable candidates are found. Resignations in both cases created the openings. In other personnel matters last week, the commission hired Catherine …

Troopers from the Michigan State Police Coldwater Post stopped a passenger vehicle on Hodunk Road near Barnhart Road in Branch County. The 30-year-old driver and a 48-year-old passenger, both of Quincy, were found to be in possession of several ounces of marijuana and components used to manufacture methamphetamine. The suspects were arrested on several felony charges. A further investigation led …

Two Three Rivers police officers may face criminal charges after an alleged domestic dispute that occurred last month in Lockport Township. The alleged incident is being investigated by the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department. St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough said his office turned reports over to the Michigan Attorney General’s office, which will appoint a prosecutor to determine if …

A 19-year-old Sturgis-area man was airlifted to Bronson Methodist Hospital Wednesday following a one-car crash. Police said Adam Bontrager was driving west on Lafayette street around 2 p.m. when the car he was driving left the road and struck a tree. Witnesses told police that Brontrager was driving at a high rate of speed. The vehicle left the road near …

Sturgis City Manager Mike Hughes said he has withdrawn his candidacy for the position of city manager of Portage. The 40-year-old Hughes was one of three finalists chosen last month from a pool of five candidates for the Portage job. After further consideration, Hughes said he and his family have decided they would prefer to stay in Sturgis. Hughes, who …

Deputies from the St Joseph County Sheriff’s Office investigated a breaking-and-entering incident earlier this week in Leonidas Township. Police were called at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to the 31000 block of Covey Road. The victim told police someone used a tool to pry off the lock to a garage. Items stolen included a riding lawn mower and a 300-piece craftsman socket …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has granted approval to Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman to re-apply for a state grant. During action at last week’s commission meeting, Stutesman sought permission to pursue a grant worth in excess of $280,000 for the Swift and Sure Sanctions Probation program. The program is already in place and received high praise from …

Two duck hunters were rescued from the St. Joseph River Sunday morning in Lockport Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the two were duck hunting with a 12-year-old boy shortly before 7 a.m. in the 62000 block of Constantine Road in Lockport Township. Deputies were called to assist with the two men, who were unable to free themselves …