Police

Authorities are citing alcohol and excessive speed as factors in a single-vehicle crash early Sunday morning in White Pigeon Township. State police said 26-year-old White Pigeon resident Larry Krotzer was driving west on Fawn River Road at 12:10 a.m., when the SUV he was driving went off the roadway and struck a utility pole near the intersection of Lima Road. …

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 …

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 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 …

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 …

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 …