Author and Michigan native Johnathan Rand helped kick off “March is Reading Month” with an appearance in Constantine last week. His visit was organized by the Constantine Township Library. Rand, whose real name is Christopher Tod Wright, kept the audience of nearly 120 children and adults entertained with stories and lessons about his life as an author. Rand, who has …

Michigan State Police and other area agencies responded Monday to a residence in which a man had barricaded himself. Law-enforcement personnel responded around 2 p.m. to a location in the 800 block of Mechanic Street, where the stand-off unfolded. State police used special-response vehicles, chemical irritants and continued loudspeaker commands for the suspect to exit the house. Officials said the …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the theft of a catalytic converter from an ambulance in Sherman Township. Investigators said the incident occurred between Feb. 17 and Feb. 21 from a training ambulance parked in an area off Shimmel Road, authorities said.

The Sturgis Historical Museum has hired a Sherwood-area woman as its new director. Rosalie Currier was named to the position and will assume her role Monday. Currier confessed that a love of history and familiarity with Sturgis made her ideal for the director position, museum officials said. As a former Sturgis Journal writer, Currier said she has written numerous articles …

Downtown Vicksburg is poised to become a midweek destination this summer, as live music will be presented weekly starting in June. Village Manager Jim Mallery recently told council members that plans are being finalized to feature two musical acts every Wednesday, beginning June 14. The weekly performances are projected to continue through Aug. 16, with the exception of July 5, …

A Mexican national will serve up to 15 years in prison for a car crash that killed an infant in November. Efrain Jimenez-Lopez, 24, pleaded guilty to three felonies for the Nov. 1 crash that killed 6-month-old Alden Adams in Mendon Township. St. Joseph County Circuit Judge Paul Stutesman issued the sentence Friday after Jimenez-Lopez pleaded guilty to failure to …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that occurred last month in Branch County’s Sherwood Township. Investigators said the incident occurred between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Feb. 24 at a residence in the 800 block of Wheatfield Drive. Troopers said the suspect gained access into the residence by breaking through the front door. The victim told authorities …

A suspect behind the robbery of a Cassopolis bank last week has been taken into custody. Cassopolis Police Department officials said an arrest was made Friday by their counterparts in South Bend. The suspect was taken to the St. Joseph County Jail in Indiana and is awaiting extradition to Michigan. The robbery occurred Feb. 27 at Fifth Third Bank on …

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has a program for teen foster children called “Independent Living.” The agency is appealing to the public to consider the opportunity to help a foster teen learn how to meal plan, cook, grocery shop, job search and learn skills to live independently in St. Joseph County. A foster home license is not required …

A 22-year-old woman was arrested on drug-related charges last week in Sturgis. According to the Sturgis Department of Public Safety, a traffic stop was conducted at 1:30 a.m. Friday near the intersection of South Jefferson Street and West Chicago Road. K-9 officer Odin was brought to the scene and responded positively to the odor of narcotics. Officers eventually found the …