Police

New boat with sonar

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department has unveiled the newest addition to its marine patrol. Sheriff Brad Balk and Captain Jason Bingaman this week showed off its newest boat, a Boston Whaler that features a side-scan sonar device. Thanks to nearly $3,500 in donations, the department was able to purchase the boat and sonar unit. The boat was named “Daniella,” …

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Police investigating theft

Two snowmobiles and a trailer were stolen either Aug. 4 or 5 from a location in the 62000 block of M-60, in Fabius Township. State police investigators from the White Pigeon detachment are looking for clues related to the theft of a Haulmark trailer that contained the two 1997 Yamaha snowmobiles. Investigators said the trailer is missing its front door.

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More copper wire stolen

A dark-colored minivan is a clue investigators are using in hopes of catching the party responsible for the theft of copper wire from an irrigation system in Leonidas Township. Michigan State Police officials said about 1,200 feet of overhead irrigation wire was stolen between Aug. 2 and 5 from a field at the intersection of Shorts Road and M-60.

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Focus on rehabilitation

Members of the St. Joseph County Community Corrections Advisory Board plan to maintain a strong focus on rehabilitating jail inmates charged with methamphetamine-related offenses. During their meeting last week, members of the 15-person committee said they intend to evaluate the success of a program called “Meth Men in Jail,” which is monitored by Spencer Price, substance abuse supervisor with the …

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Police called for domestic situation

The Three Rivers Police Department was called over the weekend to a residence in the 700 block of Portage Avenue regarding a domestic situation. Three Rivers officials said a 911 call was received shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday regarding a distraught subject who potentially posed a threat to himself and others. Officers coaxed the man out of his house and …

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Nottawa business robbed

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is reviewing surveillance video for clues to help identify the culprits of a breaking-and-entering incident over the weekend in Nottawa. Sometime between midnight and 7:30 a.m. Sunday, a door at Sand Lake Party Store was pried open and the business was entered. A preliminary investigation shows an undisclosed amount of money and numerous packs …

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Explosive device found

Investigators from the Michigan State Police post in Coldwater and its detachment in White Pigeon were summoned around 8 p.m. Tuesday in response to an improvised explosive device. The device was found in about two feet of water by a swimmer on the east side of Grey Lake in Sherman Township. Members of the state police bomb squad were called …

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Man pointed gun at children

Troopers from the Michigan State Police detachment in White Pigeon are investigating an incident during which a man pointed a gun at a group of children at a rural location in Mendon Township. A group of four children were riding bicycles Thursday on Wakeman Road, west of Baer Road, when a man in a green GMC pickup truck pointed a …

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Damage to irrigation system

An irrigation panel was damaged during an incident between Aug. 4 and 5 in a field on Peck Academy Road in Constantine Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the damage to a center-pivot irrigation system came shortly after the pivot had been repaired from having its copper wire stolen. The extent of damage and cost of repairs was …

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Woman in critical condition

A 50-year-old Nottawa woman remains in critical condition as she recovers from being struck by a car while riding her bike last week. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Esther Schmucker has been at Bronson Methodist Hospital since she was struck head-on by a vehicle driven by 28-year-old Jeremy Conley, of Sturgis. The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. Thursday …

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