The court date for a former priest at parishes in Colon and Bronson has been moved to later this month. A pre-trial conference for Richard Fritz was originally slated to take place Tuesday but has been rescheduled to June 13. If a preliminary hearing is necessary, it would occur June 20, according to the St. Joseph County District Court. Fritz …

Speed was cited as a factor in a single-vehicle crash earlier this week in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were dispatched at 5 a.m. Tuesday to Union Road in an area south of U.S. 12. According to a department media release, a Dodge pickup driven by 27-year-old Shelly Wright failed to negotiate a curve and left …

The Sturgis Area Community Foundation marks its 55th anniversary this year and is hosting a “Match Day’ to multiply the gifts to endowed funds by donors on June 6. The foundation will match contributions to endowed funds on a dollar-to-dollar basis up to $5,000 per fund, and contributions to non-endowed funds at 50-cents on the dollar up to $2,500 per …

Court documents say a 22-year-old man charged with murder in the slaying of a former northern Indiana city councilman told detectives he met the victim responding to an online advertisement for casual encounters. Documents say Cody Garman of Elkhart told detectives the victim, 66-year-old former Goshen Councilman David Swartley, drove to Garman’s home early on May 25 and the two …

In observance of the National HIV Testing Day, The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency encourages you to get tested for HIV. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) the condition caused by the HIV virus if left untreated. This year National HIV Testing Day will take place on Tuesday June 27th, 2017. Why should …

Mr. Curtis Lee Martin, age 68, of Three Rivers, passed away on Saturday, May 27th, 2017 at the Bronson Methodist Hospital following a brief illness. He was born on August 25th, 1948 in Magnolia, Mississippi the son of the late Leslie Martin Sr. and Mrs. Nercille (Mixon) Martin. Mr. Martin served his country honorably in the U.S. Army and later married …

Harriet L. VanPelt, age 93, of Colon, passed away Tuesday, May 30, 2017, at Skaggs Assisted Living in Burr Oak. She was born May 1, 1924, in Bronson, a daughter of the late Harry and Flossie (Crapo) Prestidge. Harriet had resided in Colon since 1985. Prior to moving to Colon, she lived in Bronson, Sturgis and Fort Wayne, Ind. On …

An 82-year-old Mendon Township man was the victim of a home invasion and armed robbery over the weekend. State police said the incident occurred at 7 p.m. Sunday in the 23000 block of Michigan Avenue, where two men asked the victim if they could use his telephone. The man declined and closed the door. The suspects managed to force their …

Six area lakes will be the focus of the 2017 “Discover the Treasures of St. Joseph County” event. Sponsored by the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce, this year’s Treasures is a lake-and-home tour that will center on Clear, Corey, Long and Pleasant lakes in Fabius Township, Fishers Lake in Park Township, and Lake Templene in Nottawa and Sherman townships. …

Sheriff’s department deputies are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident at a Lockport Township business. According to a department media release, the offense occurred between Tuesday and Friday last week in the 16000 block of Lovers Lane. Access was gained through forced entry and once inside, the suspects rummaged through cabinets and desk drawers, according to authorities.