Police

Two men and a woman were arrested Tuesday in Sturgis on methamphetamine-related charges. The St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit executed a search warrant in the 400 block of Center Avenue following an investigation of suspected drug activity inside the residence. Once inside, investigators discovered evidence of the use and manufacture of meth, including hazardous materials, department officials said. A …

Local law-enforcement agencies are looking for a red, small-size pickup truck involved in a hit-and-run incident last week in Park Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said a 23-year-old Portage woman was driving south on U.S. 131 Thursday when the vehicle in front of her lost control and spun out south of Michigan Avenue. The vehicle driven by the …

A Constantine woman was treated for injuries she received Monday following a two-vehicle accident in Fabius Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said 33-year-old Maylynn Kitchen of Constantine was driving south on U.S. 131 when her vehicle was struck by a car eastbound on M-60. Investigators said Megan Belew, a 33-year-old Delton resident, failed to yield the right of …

A Branch County man has been charged with felony animal abuse after sheriff’s deputies found a dead horse and nine others that were underfed on his farm in Ovid Township. The Branch County Sheriff’s Department said Geoffrey Eickmann, 33, was arrested Thursday after a warrant was issued. He remains at the county jail in Coldwater under a $25,000 bond after …

Two vehicles in Mendon Township were burglarized earlier this week. According to a St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department media release, the breaking-and-entering incidents occurred Sunday or Monday in the 23000 block of South Shore Drive. A small amount of loose change was taken from a vehicle; a backpack was stolen from the other.

A Portage woman was cited for failure to yield following a two-vehicle accident Thursday in Florence Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Laura Rothwell, 53, was driving west ion Featherstone Road when she disregarded the stop sign at Lutz Road. Her car struck a southbound vehicle driven by 56-year-old Thomas Pifer of Nottawa. Rothwell was treated at the …

Three long guns, a pistol, video gaming devices and other items were stolen last week from a residence in Mottville Township. State police said the incident occurred between 6 and 6:30 a.m. Feb. 19 in the 10000 block of James Street. Police indicated they believe two men were a part of the breaking and entering, and it appears their vehicle …

An investigation ongoing for several weeks culminated Tuesday with the arrest of three people in the Meijer parking lot in Three Rivers. Sheriff’s department officials said narcotics investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit said the case involved methamphetamine delivery and production. Charges include delivery of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine precursors. One of the males also had …

A Leonidas man was arrested Wednesday following a police pursuit originating in Sturgis. Randall Wood, 39, is being held on a parole absconder warrant along with charges of fleeing and eluding, and hit-and-run. According to Sturgis police, the pursuit began around 10:30 a.m., when a Sturgis officer in an unmarked patrol vehicle saw Wood’s vehicle strike a light pole near …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has approved a new position at the sheriff’s department, where a diversion program is expected to better meet the needs of people requiring mental-health service evaluations. During Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners approved the position of director of assessment. The specialist’s salary will come out of a $350,000 grant administered by the state to the …