Health and Wellness

A 24-year-old Mottville Township man was arrested Friday afternoon, following a standoff with police lasting more than three hours. Brandon Culbertson was sought by police after the St. Joseph County Narcotics Unit followed up on a tip regarding the production of methamphetamine. Police said Culbertson was spotted in a vehicle and he fled into a wooded area as officers attempted …

A nitrogen fertilizer spill in Florence Township Wednesday afternoon resulted in the leakage of 90 gallons of fertilizer. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the incident occurred on Engle Road, just north of Featherstone Road. Officials said a tank was being pulled by a tractor when a weld broke. A level-gauge device snapped off when the tank dropped to …

A grass fire Wednesday in Sturgis Township burned more than five acres of a field along Stubey Road. Officials from the Tri-Township Fire Department said it appears embers from a burning barrel triggered the fire. There were no injuries reported. Fire chiefs across the county are asking for a ban on outdoor burning at least until a measurable rainfall hits …

A pay raise was granted Tuesday to St. Joseph County Drain Commissioner Jeff Wenzel. Commissioners had previously authorized Wenzel’s job be expanded from 28 to 40 hours, but no action was taken regarding his $33,000-a-year salary. After reviewing the matter Friday at their executive committee meeting, commissioners without comment Tuesday agreed to up Wenzel’s annual pay to $47,500. The amendment …

The Michigan Department of Transportation announced a three-day road project in Constantine that will result in lane closures. MDOT officials said single-lane closures on U.S. 131 at the St. Joseph River bridge started Tuesday and are expected to remain in place through 5 p.m. Thursday. A team of MDOT officials will be involved in bridge repairs, according to an agency …

James Baker, manager of the Three Rives Clean Water Plant, said employees discovered a foam-over from one of the treated biosolids tanks early Saturday. Baker said crews reacted immediately and deployed drain blockers to prevent discharge into storm sewers. An estimated 38 gallons entered into the storm sewer and more than 2,700 gallons spilled around the west side of the …

Three Rivers municipal officials on Monday issued a public thank-you to the city of Sturgis for its help with cleanup efforts from the 2012 Water Festival. According to a Three Rivers news release, after the city’s street sweeper failed to operate over the weekend, Three Rivers DPS crews turned to their counterparts in Sturgis for assistance. Sturgis sent its own …

The Michigan House last week gave final approval to legislation known as “Dominick’s Law,” which will strengthen penalties for child abuse in Michigan and create penalties for a situation of abuse occurring in front of other people. The legislation, sponsored by state Reps. Matt Lori and Joseph Graves, are in memory of a 4-year old boy from the Flint area …

Three Rivers police said a man they were seeking for absconding on bond was taken into custody this week by officers in Detroit. Stanley Tucker, 44, was out of jail on bond when he allegedly shot his wife and two other people at a Detroit residence last month. He was wanted by police in Detroit on three counts of attempted …

Constantine Village Manager Mark Honeysett has returned to work following heart bypass surgery. Honeysett came back to work on a limited basis May 23 following the April procedure. During Honeysett’s absence, police chief Jim Bedell served as acting village manager.