WLKM Radio 95.9 FM » Police

Many local crimes are drug-related

WLKM — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:39:52 +0000

St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough estimated 65 to 70 percent of the crimes in St. Joseph County are drug-related.

Giving his annual report before St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, McDonough said while trafficking of cocaine in the Three Rivers area has been on the downturn, St. Joseph County still ranks in the top five in the state for meth-production.

The 30-year-old McDonough said he plans to petition county, city, village and township officials in the next year, asking for their support in approving ordinances that would make over-the-counter drugs that contain ingredients used to produce meth available only by prescription.

A few statistics McDonough noted include a decrease in the number of felony convictions in 2009 compared to 2008. There were 1,034 felony warrants request in 2009, an increase of five from 2008. And the county in 2009 authorized 150 charges of drunk driving, up from 146 the year before.

Constantine man dies in crash

WLKM — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:17:30 +0000

A rural Constantine man was killed in a one-car crash Monday night shortly after 9pm. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, the victim was identified as 24-year-old Matthew Nipper. He was reportedly westbound on Riverside Drive at a high rate of speed in a stolen vehicle, when he lost control and crashed into several trees. Nipper was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jones woman seriously injured

WLKM — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:16:32 +0000

A Jones woman was seriously injured Saturday evening in a two-car crash in Cass County’s Calvin Township. 57-year-old Teri Chaffee was northbound on Calvin Center Road, when her vehicle was struck by a vehicle driven by Carrie Auer, 53, of Dowagiac, who was eastbound on Brownsville Street, and reportedly failed to yield the right of way. Chaffee was airlifted to Borgess Medical Center for treatment.

Burr Oak Tries to Save Officer’s Job

WLKM — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:42:47 +0000

The village of Burr Oak may have to adjust its fiscal year budget in order to save the job of its part-time police officer.

Municipal officials said Tuesday the fund from which Officer Todd Lewis is paid could have a shortfall of about $2,500 before the end of the village’s fiscal year March 31. As a result, it may not have enough funds to pay Lewis after the start of the new year.

Village President Shawn Seeba said every option possible will be explored to find a way to keep the part-time officer.

Pot Plants Seized

WLKM — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:34:26 +0000

Law-enforcement officials on Tuesday gathered nearly 500 marijuana plants growing in isolated locations around St. Joseph County.

Aided by two helicopters from the Air National Guard base at Grand Ledge, authorities on the ground were able to enter areas where marijuana was being grown illegally and seize the plants.

Organizers of the event said about 30 law-enforcement officials were involved in the day-long event, which covered all areas of St. Joseph County.

Three felony cases will result from the seized marijuana, police said.

Sturgis Teen Killed in Car-Bicycle Collision

WLKM — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:45:07 +0000

Seventeen-year-old Joshua Hughes was killed Tuesday afternoon when he lost control of his bicycle and was hit by a car on U.S. 12, west of Sturgis.

St. Joseph County Sheriff Brad Balk said Hughes, whose listed address was Airline Road in Sturgis Township, was riding his bicycle westbound, against oncoming traffic, on the south shoulder of U.S. 12.

Hughes lost control of his bicycle east of Shimmel Road, fell to the roadway and into the path of an eastbound vehicle driven by Sarah Hardesty, 88, a Klinger Lake resident with a Sturgis address, Balk said.

Hughes was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident occurred shortly after 12:30 p.m.

Balk said based on the circumstances of the accident, it appears there will be no charges filed against Hardesty.

Two injured in crash

WLKM — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:57:43 +0000

Two children were seriously injured Saturday afternoon in the village of Burr Oak. The children, an 11-year-old girl and a 5-year-old girl, were riding a motorized scooter, when they reportedly turned in front of a pickup at the intersection of South Burr Oak Road and East Main Street. Both youngsters were flown from the scene by helicopter to Bronson Methodist Hospital. Their names were not released.

Fatal motorcycle crash

WLKM — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:02:20 +0000

A rural Three Rivers man was killed in a motorcycle crash Tuesday evening on County Line Road near Walnut Drive in Fabius Township. The victim was identified as 41-year-old Steven Nerad. He was reportedly northbound, when his cycle left the road after a small curve and struck two trees. Nerad was pronounced dead at the scene.

State police commander resigns

WLKM — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:11:45 +0000

Indiana State Police say the commander of the agency’s Toll Road post near Elkhart has resigned after being questioned about missing money. The agency announced Monday that Lt. Dallard Tackett resigned Friday. State police say the 58-year-old Tackett was asked about money from prosecutors’ offices in northern Indiana that was supposed to be sent to Indianapolis. State police said a preliminary investigation indicates that Tackett cashed the checks. State police said the missing funds could exceed several thousand dollars from at least three counties. No criminal charges were immediately filed. The 31-year state police veteran could not be located for comment Monday because there was no telephone listing for him. It wasn’t immediately known whether Tackett had hired an attorney. (AP)

Man arrested in Sturgis

WLKM — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 01:43:57 +0000

Sturgis Police arrested a 42-year-old man in connection with a stabbing incident in the 100 block of West Chicago Road over the weekend. The 36-year-old male victim was reportedly stabbed three times and knocked unconscious. The assailant then allegedly committed a sexual assault against a 28-year-old victim. The suspect fled the scene on foot, and was subsequently arrested in the 1300 block of Cato Lane.