Police

Several items stolen in Park Township

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. …

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Leaf blower stolen in Constantine

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 …

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Former Sturgis resident dies from surgery complications

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 …

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Stolen items found after traffic stop

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. …

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Fairbanks police officer dies after complications from surgery

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 …

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Appeals court throws out child abuse case

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 …

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Three men arrested in Three Rivers

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 …

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Fatal crash near Sturgis

A Sturgis man died Tuesday as a result of injuries he suffered in a two-vehicle crash in Sturgis Township. State police said Robert Riddle, 82, attempted to make a left-hand turn from southbound White School Road onto eastbound Fawn River Road shortly before 3 p.m. Investigators said Riddle, who was driving a Ford F-150, turned into the path of a …

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Identity of girl attacked by dog announced

The identity of a 4-year-old victim of a dog attack Sunday in Sherman Township has been confirmed. Kiyana McNeal was killed by the family pet, a recently acquired Doberman. The dog apparently lunged at the girl’s neck as she was offering it a treat. McNeal’s mother attempted to pull the 4-year-old dog off the girl and was bitten by the …

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Girl dies in dog attack

Authorities say a dog attacked and killed a 4 1/2-year-old girl and injured the child’s mother at a home on West Fish Lake Road. The St. Joseph County sheriff’s department says the family had recently gotten the Doberman or Doberman mix before Sunday afternoon’s attack in Sherman Township. The girl’s mother tried to protect her and was hospitalized with injuries …

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