County Information

Carol Dienes  was presented the 2013 Patriot Award last week by the organization Friends and Family Supporting our Military. Staged Tuesday at the Sturgis Armory, the locally founded organization concluded its banquet with the honor bestowed upon Dienes, who was one of five people nominated for the 2013 award. Dienes, of Michiana Snax, was recognized for her continued support of …

Cass County prosecutor Victor Fitz said a 15-year-old Eau Claire girl has pled guilty to driving without a valid license causing death following a June incident during which a Jones man was killed. Fitz said Sonia Sahavedra  made the plea in juvenile court last week. She was charged with the offense after she drove a car June 26 and caused …

The murder case involving suspect Andy Brown will go to trial, District Court Judge Jeff Middleton decided Thursday. During the second consecutive day of Brown’s preliminary examination, additional testimony was given regarding the suspected weapon, Brown’s location the morning of the alleged murder based on cell phone records and a possible motive Brown may have had for allegedly murdering Sturgis …

Three Rivers police took a 14-year-old student into custody Monday after it was reported he had taken a gun to school. According to police, the student showed the gun to classmates on the bus while riding home and allegedly made reference to robbing a bank or people in a park. Police recovered the weapon after making contact with the student …

More than 150 people attended Thursday’s opening night of the 57th Mendon Kiwanis Showboat. “The Not-So-Wild West” is the theme of the music and comedy program, which continues tonight and Saturday. A cast of about 35 members drew audience laughter for its between-song skits and jokes and strong applause for its two dozen musical numbers. The cast paid tribute to …

Testimony was provided by more than a dozen witnesses Wednesday in the preliminary-examination hearing of Andy Brown. Brown, 37, is accused of fatally shooting Sturgis-area CPA David Locey last month at Locey’s Sherman Township office. In all, 13 people testified before District Court Judge Jeff Middleton, with more testimony to be provided today. Middleton will then determine whether enough evidence …

Wisconsin-based Culver’s restaurant has announced it is opening a location in Sturgis next year. Michael and Jennifer Miller, who own Culver’s locations in Coldwater and Battle Creek, are developing the restaurant at 830 S. Centerville Road. It is slated to open in September following a four-month construction period, city officials said. The restaurant’s signature items are its made-to-order ButterBurger and …

Black Gold Farms invites the public to help itself to as many potatoes as it can transport. Ray Baker, manager of the Sturgis Township-based business, said limited capacity means the potatoes would otherwise end up being discarded. Baker said the potatoes are supposed to be a certain size to conform with guidelines preferred by potato chip manufacturers. He said this …

“The Not-So-Wild West,” the theme of the 2013 Mendon Kiwanis Showboat, begins its three-night run this evening. A cast of nearly three dozen people will perform a total of 24 songs and be featured in a variety of comical skits that have become the hallmark of the annual Mendon event over its 56-year life. Organizers of this week’s 57th annual …

A longtime Three Rivers city employee and community icon has passed away. Ken Baker, who served in a variety of roles for the municipality, died Tuesday evening following a long battle with kidney cancer. He was 71. Baker started his career with the city as a patrol officer for the Three Rivers Police Department. He was later promoted to sergeant …