Two arrested for stealing

Two of three men suspected of stealing thousands of dollars of items over the past year from St. Joseph County properties were arrested following a months-long investigation.

A joint investigation by personnel from the Michigan State Police and St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department culminated with the arrests of a 39-year-old Calhoun County man and a 33-year-old man from Kalamazoo County.

Both men were arrested earlier this month, while the third suspect remains at large.

Investigators said the men were responsible for more than two dozen larcenies in St. Joseph, Calhoun and LaGrange counties. In most cases, they allegedly stole snowmobiles, tractors, log-splitters, trailers and larger items they dismantled and sold for scrap.

In addition, the trio was allegedly responsible for a rash of vehicle break-ins outside a number of manufacturing plants on Progress Street in Sturgis, police said.

Police investigating break-in

A Fawn River Township residence was burglarized during a daytime break-in last week.

State police investigators said access was gained through a back door Wednesday between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Jewelry, electronics and other items were stolen from the residence in the 69000 block of Carls Road.

Curly’s to finalize plans

The owners of Curly’s bar and restaurant in downtown Colon expect this week to finalize rebuilding plans.

Dan and Kathy Earl have purchased the corner business on East State Street that previously housed a Prudential real estate office. The acquisition will add nearly 2,000 square feet when the new Curly’s opens – likely before the end of the year.

The Earls are expected to draft final building plans with an architect later in the week.

Curly’s and Prudential were destroyed by a March fire that also caused smoke and water damage to the nearby Five Star Pizza. It is scheduled to reopen later this month.

A pile of bricks and debris where Curly’s and Prudential previously stood was removed two weeks ago.

Dan Earl said he appreciates the community’s outpouring of support following the fire, which was ruled accidental by state fire marshal investigators.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Fundraiser

More than 40 people took part in Saturday’s “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” fundraiser for the Three Rivers-based Domestic And Sexual Abuse Services agency.

Staying consistent with the event’s name, most of the male participants wore high-heeled shoes as they walked a mile on the Three Rivers High School track.

Event co-chair Rose Parshall said the second-annual walk was fortunate to once again draw a number of representatives from law enforcement, as well as prosecuting attorneys from St. Joseph and Cass counties.

DASAS provides services for women in St. Joseph, Cass and Van Buren counties.

Residents oppose plan

A group of Centreville residents is voicing opposition to a sidewalk plan in their neighborhood.

Nearly two dozen residents attended this week’s Centreville Village Council meeting to voice concern over sidewalks to be built through a Safe Routes To School grant. The $416,000 to help cover the sidewalk-development cost was awarded last September.

Comments ranged from the need for the sidewalks to concern tax dollars will be used for construction. Village officials reiterated the grant will cover all expenses.

The project is now in the hands of officials from the Michigan Department of Transportation. The agency is expected to approve the village’s sidewalk plan early next month, with bids awarded by the end of June.

Construction would likely start in July, with the work done before the start of school in September.

Three Sturgis men indicted

Three Sturgis men are among 20 people from Michigan, Indiana and Ohio indicted on charges of running a major operation smuggling cocaine and methamphetamine from Mexico for sale near Fort Wayne.

Federal prosecutors last week said Gelacio Martinez, 36; Juan Pena, 20; and John Bennett, 35, were allegedly involved in the operation.

All three face charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and the use of a communication facility.

U. S. Attorney David Capp announced the indictments last Friday at a news conference in Fort Wayne.

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