St Joseph County

Investigators have ruled a house fire last week in Constantine was started by accident. The April 11 blaze at 570 S. Washington St. in Constantine has been ruled accidental, as its source was found to be an 11-year-old occupant playing with a lighter. The fire began around 7 p.m. in a first-floor bedroom and quickly spread to an upper- level …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Tuesday authorized $11,000 toward the purchase of nine iPads. Five officials from the prosecutor’s office and four representatives from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit will receive an iPad for business use. Prosecutor John McDonough said the devices will be used as a part of undercover investigations, general and trial …

Two Colon Township residents were arrested Monday on methamphetamine-related charges following a two-month investigation. Thanks to a citizen’s tip, the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit executed a search warrant in the 56000 block of Driftwood Drive, where a 61-year-old man and 26-year-old woman were arrested. Pending charges include operating and maintaining a meth lab, possession of meth and maintaining …

A Three Rivers man has pled guilty to an embezzlement charge after he was found to have spent money intended for the Three Rivers Little League program. Clint Roberts, 37, pled guilty last week in St. Joseph County Circuit Court to one count of embezzlement over $1,000 but less than $20,000, court officials said. Investigators found Roberts had misused a …

St. Joseph County has renewed a law-enforcement agreement its sheriff’s department has with two governmental entities. County commissioners this week approved contracts between the county and the village of Centreville, and Fabius Township. The village and township receive law enforcement, including routine patrol, from the sheriff’s department rather than establishing their own police agencies. The agreement with Centreville is for …

A veteran member of the White Pigeon Police Department was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence last week following a one-car accident in Branch County. State police investigators said Sgt. Bill Burgoyne, who has a two-decade career with the White Pigeon department, faces charges related to drunken driving after an incident around 6 p.m. Friday in Sherwood …

The Michigan Department of Transportation has issued a road-improvement grant to the city of Sturgis to complement an expansion project underway by Summit Polymers. State Rep. Matt Lori announced the $242,640 grant would be matched by $60,660 put up by the city to improve a 1,420-foot portion of Broadus Street between Progress Street and Dresser Drive for all-season access to …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department responded to separate reports this week regarding unlawful entry and damage to property. Three campers at the Latvian Center in Fabius Township were entered either Friday or Saturday. An investigation is ongoing to determine what was taken from the campers. Meanwhile, investigators responded to a separate incident in White Pigeon Township, where the front …

Glen Oaks Community College has announced registration for the 2013 spring/summer and the fall semesters is underway. Spring/summer semester classes begin May 13 and fall classes start Aug. 26. Students are encouraged to register early to ensure they receive class schedules at times they prefer. Class schedules are available at the college, mailed upon request or online at glenoaks.edu. Financial …

A slate of annual reports tops the agenda for today’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting. Reports on tap today will center on the Friend of Court, Circuit Court, County Clerk, Juvenile Court and District Court. In addition, commissioners will review and consider renewing law-enforcement agreements between the sheriff’s department and separate contracts for exclusive patrol arrangements with Fabius …