A Branch County man was sentenced to at least 30 years in prison for his role in the sexual abuse of a 9-year-old girl. Peter Casey, 30, was sentenced recently, along with 37-year-old Shannon Moore of Kalamazoo. Casey was sentenced on six different offenses. The case began in March 2019 when the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children followed …

Two St. Joseph County farmers are participating this week in state-level, leadership-development programs sponsored by Michigan Farm Bureau. It provides “Young Farmer” members, ages 18-35, with several competitive opportunities to hone their talents and measure themselves against peers from across the state. Riley Brazo and Marcia Cripps, both of Sturgis, will represent the organization’s five-county southwestern region in the final …

St. Joseph County commissioners recently approved budget amendments to benefit the sheriff’s department. During their Nov. 16 meeting, commissioners OK’d a $62,000 adjustment for a policy-review service called Lexipol and an additional $65,000 to cover expenses related to a renovation project. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said the renovation centers on the former St. Joseph County Parks and Recreation Department headquarters. The …

A process that was typically a routine matter in years past was approved earlier this month by St. Joseph County commissioners after an inordinate amount of attention. The roster of public defenders, whose members serve as court-appointed attorneys through 2022, was OK’d by the board Nov. 2. The matter drew a second look this year after former prosecutor John McDonough …

Several reports of breaking-and-entering into automobiles were made from Flowerfield Township early Monday. State police said troopers fielded multiple reports of items stolen from vehicles parked in driveways in the early morning hours. A specific area was not indicated in a department media release. The stolen items included two guns, money, identification, wallets and purses. All vehicles involved were unlocked …

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating the theft of gas from vehicles parked at a location in Nottawa Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies responded to a report of gas stolen between Wednesday and Thursday from vehicles and tractors parked in the 27000 block of Prairie Corners Road.

St. Joseph County United Way is collecting new or gently used winter coats, hats, gloves and boots. Agency officials said items can be dropped off at the United Way’s office in Centreville. If coats need cleaning, they can be left at Ludders Cleaners in Three Rivers or Sturgis. More information is available from the United Way, at 269-467-9099.

A 40-year-old Constantine man was sentenced to prison last week on charges of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. Michael Paul Miller will serve 10 to 30 years after pleading guilty to the charge and as a habitual offender following a series of incidents with an underage girl that ended in 2020. Miller had previously denied anything happened with the now-14-year-old girl until …

A 48-year-old Mishawaka woman was arrested Friday afternoon in Sturgis on numerous felony charges after leading police on a brief pursuit through the city. Officers received a call from St. Joseph County Central Dispatch at 3:28 p.m. regarding a vehicle being driven in an erratic manner on U.S.12 and approaching the city limits. Responding officers located the vehicle and witnessed …

Colon High School fell short over the weekend in its bid to win its second 8-man football title in three years. The Magi were routed Saturday by Powers North Central, 63-0. The Division 2 contest took place at the Superior Dome in Marquette. The Magi were overpowered after their starting quarterback, Simon Vinson, was knocked out of the game early …