Police

The Sturgis Police Department will receive a new squad vehicle. Anticipating the department would need a new cruiser, the city budgeted $ 27,500 for the 2014-15 fiscal year. Bill Snethkamp-Fleet in Lansing was the low bidder at $22,643, plus a $200 charge for delivery. The vehicle is on the lot and available immediately, a factor that influenced commissioners to accept …

Two adults and a juvenile were arrested at 6 a. m. Sunday on weapon and drug charges in Sturgis. Sturgis officers obtained a search warrant for a residence at 213 N. Fourth St., where police seized two handguns, a rifle and packaged marijuana. A 24-year-old man was arrested for possession with intent to deliver, while a 19-year-old man was arrested …

A 19-year-old Michigan State University student is facing charges for allegedly making a threat to shoot up a school on a social media site. Matthew Mullen of Northbrook, Illinois was arraigned Tuesday on a charge of false report or threat of terrorism. He was released Wednesday from the Ingham County jail on $10,000 bond. Mullen faces up to 20 years in prison. His …

St. Joseph County’s Central Dispatch will soon be receiving a new recorder system. During last week’s county commission meeting, approval was given to replace the 20-year-old recorder currently used by the Centreville-based agency. Human resources director Elishia Arver said the current recorder is plagued with viruses and is long overdue to be retired. Grand Rapids-based software company Van Belkum provided …

State police are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident involving a number of RV trailers in White Pigeon Township. According to an agency media release, troopers were summoned at 3 p.m. Saturday to the 69000 block of U.S. 131, where 17 new trailers were entered. Numerous items valued in excess of several thousand dollars were stolen from inside the trailers. Furthermore, several …

Police have arrested a Battle Creek man in connection with a fatal stabbing and apartment fire in Kalamazoo over the weekend. The 35-year-old suspect was to be arraigned on charges of open murder and arson Tuesday. Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officers were called to the Clayborne Court Apartment complex Saturday night. The fire was in a bedroom and fire crews were able …

About a dozen homes in Sherman Township were evacuated late Sunday after a thousand-gallon propane tank began to leak. Authorities said the tank slid off of its base due to soft ground and rolled down a hill around 9:30 p.m. The tank then struck a tree at the tank’s valve. Homes were evacuated in an area that included Banker Street, …

Firefighters sent to an apartment in Kalamazoo found a 47-year-old resident dead in a bedroom.  The cause of the fire and the woman’s death are under investigation. The Kalamazoo Public Safety Department calls the fire “suspicious.”  The fire was quickly extinguished Saturday night. No other apartments at the Clayborne Court complex were affected. (AP)

Sturgis police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred last week at a gas station on the west side of the city. Authorities said a woman entered Admiral, located at 501 W. Chicago, around 8 p. m. Thursday, pointed a gun at the clerk and demanded money. An undisclosed amount of cash was taken and the suspect drove away from …

A fire early Friday in the production area at LTi Printing in Sturgis caused significant damage to equipment. According to fire officials, smoke and water damage was heavy throughout the building, located at 518 N. Centerville Road. Meanwhile, LTi officials said they are conducting damage assessments and clean-up has begun. They hope the least-affected areas of the plant will be …