Police

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department responded this week to a breaking-and-entering incident in Constantine Township. According to a department media release, deputies were called Wednesday to the 15000 block of Sandra Drive, where firearms and a laptop computer were stolen from a motorhome. The victim told police the incident occurred between 9:30 and 10:37 a.m. Wednesday.

A strong showing of supporters helped make Wednesday’s benefit for St. Joseph County Sheriff’s deputy T.J. Baker. A prosthetic arm to replace a limb that doctors removed as a result of a form of cancer is expected to cost about $150,000. Proceeds from the golf outing, which helped raise more than $20,000, will go toward expenses not picked up by …

The Sturgis Police Department is reporting the theft of playground equipment from Langrick Park. According to a department media release, the animal-shaped attraction is for small children and is supported by a metal spring. The toy and its spring base were taken from the park, police said.

A number of items were stolen last week from a residence in Sherman Township. Michigan State Police investigators said the break-in occurred between 6 and 11 a.m. July 3 in the 22000 block of Featherstone Road. A department media release did not indicate the manner in which access was gained.

Motorists are advised to be on the lookout for Adopt-A-Highway volunteers who will begin the second of three sessions picking up litter along state highways beginning this weekend. Participants in the Michigan Department of Transportation Adopt-A-Highway program will be clearing highway roadsides any day between Saturday and the end of next week. In 2012, Adopt-A-Highway volunteer groups reported collecting about …

The St Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the theft of two trailers from an outside storage lot in the 24000 block of Findley Road in Nottawa Township. It was reported that the gate to the lot was observed open Friday last week and the lock had been removed from the gate. Two days later, it was noticed that the …

St. Joseph County Sheriff Brad Balk is advising citizens that the public access at Prairie Lake in Sherman Township is open and the no-wake restriction has been lifted. According to a department press release, the lake’s water level has rescinded and, as a result, reduced the likelihood of damage to property. The restrictions had been in place since Tuesday last …

Here’s a reminder that a golf outing to benefit fundraiser for a Three Rivers police officer takes place Wednesday. Staged in honor of T.J. Baker, a past “Investigator of the Year” recipient by county prosecutor John McDonough, the event will take place at Island Hills Golf Club in Centreville. Though rosters are full for the event, organizers are asking the …

Authorities in rural western Michigan say an arson fire has destroyed a historic covered wooden bridge that has spanned the Flat River since the 19th century. The Ionia County sheriff’s department says the fire was reported about 5:10 a.m. Sunday on Whites Bridge It was built in 1869 in Keene Township, about 15 miles east of Grand Rapids. There’s no …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an incident during which a vehicle last week was found to be on fire in the 64000 block of Burr Oak Road in Burr Oak Township. Witnesses told investigators three people July 1 were seen fleeing from the van and tossing items into a nearby ditch. Upon closer inspection, officials found a …