Police

Personnel from three area departments responded to a residential fire last week on Fishers Lake in Park Township. A house in the 55000 block of Resort Road was destroyed as a result of the late-evening fire Friday. Responding personnel said the attached garage was fully engulfed in flames and its roof caved in. The fire spread from the garage to …

A 62-year-old Mottville Township woman died after a utility tractor she was operating rolled into a pond and pinned her underwater. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Betty Hull, of the 11000 block of U.S. 12, was working around 12:30 p.m. Saturday outside her residence when the tractor somehow rolled into the pond, pinning her underwater for approximately 15 …

A two-vehicle crash over the weekend in Colon Township led to emergency care rendered to a Colon woman. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, Amanda Merkle, 27, was airlifted to Bronson Methodist Hospital following the incident Saturday at Wattles and Stowell roads. Merkle was driving east on Wattles Road when she allegedly turned left in front of a …

Names of the seven suspects arrested during a pair of drug-related raids at neighboring homes last week in Mottville Township have been released. White Pigeon residents Kenna Patterson, 21, and Timothy Patterson, 27, were released on $10,000 personal recognizance bond. Terri Lynn Nowicki, 40, of White Pigeon, remains in the St. Joseph County jail with a $50,000 bond. Gary Nowicki, …

A 68-year-old Three Rivers man sought medical attention after he was involved in a three-vehicle crash last week. According to Three Rivers Police, Richard Crandall and 56-year-old Debra Edwards, of Marcellus, were stopped on southbound Main Street at Hoffman Road Thursday morning, when a southbound SUV driven by 49-year-old David Hembree rear-ended Edwards’ vehicle, which crashed into the back of …

Some Michigan lawmakers are looking at lifting the 70 mph cap on highway speeds and making other changes to reduce speed traps. Grand Ledge Sen. Rick Jones is working on a bill with fellow Republican Tom Casperson from Escanaba they want to introduce this fall. One upshot could be speed limits rising to 75 mph or 80 mph on some …

Evidence of methamphetamine production was uncovered during a pair of raids at two residences last week in Cass County. The Cass County Drug Enforcement Team on Aug. 13 searched a residence in the 69000 block of Cassopolis Road in Mason Township and another in the 67000 block of Calvin Center Road in Calvin Township. A search of the properties found …

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says two teenagers were responsible for a fire that destroyed over 100 golf carts early Wednesday morning at Hampshire golf course in Dowagiac. The Pokagon Fire Department responded to the fire and were able to save the club house but the cart building and over 100 carts were a total loss. The course was closed …

A pair of St. Joseph County residents suggested Commissioner Don Eaton resign from the five-member county board. Fabius Township’s Rebecca Shank and Florence Township’s Tim Carls addressed the county board of commissioners Tuesday, and both indicated Eaton should consider relinquishing his post as Second District commissioner. Eaton, 52, is being investigated for a potential charge of possession of a firearm …

A 34-year-old Three Rivers woman was cited for disregarding a traffic signal following a two-vehicle crash last week in Three Rivers. Three Rivers police said Shannon Lemon was driving south on Elm Street at 7:12 a.m. Friday when she failed to stop at the intersection of Hoffman Street. Her vehicle struck an eastbound car driven by 61-year-old Kalamazoo resident Michael …