St Joseph County

With two days in the books, testimony in the case against Andy Brown continues this week. A number of key witnesses testified Thursday and Friday about the day Sturgis-area CPA David Locey was found dead in his office north of the city, with a single gunshot wound to his head in October 2013. Testimony began Thursday, when Tammy Brunner, an …

Organizers of the Sturgis Fest community festival said the 2014, seven-day community celebration was considered a success. The festival concluded Saturday with an impressive fireworks show that capped several special events, including a motorcycle show, an old-time baseball game and a kick-off event with a special recognition of Sturgis’ citizens of the year, Kerri Millet and Skip Sisson. Sturgis Fest …

An agreement signed last week between heads of two local secondary universities makes official a pact that allows college students an opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree at Glen Oaks Community College. A ceremony involving Glen Oaks president David Devier and his Trine University’s Earl Brooks II took place Thursday at the Centreville-area campus. Brooks said the agreement means students …

A preliminary examination for a former Constantine reserve police officer charged with lying in testimony he gave to prosecutors investigating the 2007 death of 11-year-old Jodi Parrack was postponed last week for a second time. The attorney for defendant Raymond McCann II requested postponement and the matter has been rescheduled for July 9 before District Judge Robert Pattison. McCann has …

Members of the Constantine Village Council voted to have the village participate in a 2014 St. Joseph County mutual-aid, police-assistance agreement. The agreement is a collaboration among the St. Joseph County Sheriff ‘ s Department and agencies from Sturgis, Burr Oak, Centreville, Colon, Constantine, Mendon, Three Rivers and White Pigeon. Village manager Mark Honeysett said neighboring communities have always lent …

A Sturgis resident reported his vehicle was vandalized and gas was stolen from it at some point during a five-day period last week. State police said the incident occurred near Ilene and East West streets in Sturgis. The victim said the incident took place between June 16 and June 20. In addition, the suspect broke into the victim’s garage and …

Three students from Colon Jr./Sr. High School have been named local winners in the 45th annual “America & Me” essay contest, sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance. The students who earned first, second and third place awards respectively were Rachel Jensen, Haley Tyler and Myrh Brimmer. All three received award certificates for their achievement. As the school’s first-place winner, Jensen’s name …

Three area athletes have been named to the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association First Team all-state team. Pitcher Chance Stewart, a Sturgis High School three-star athlete who has committed to Western Michigan University as its football quarterback, was chosen as a Division 2 member for his baseball prowess. In Division 4, Kaleb McCarroll of Mendon added the all-state honor …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has installed a new phone system in two of its county health department offices, and has plans to install the system into the third office by mid-July. The new voice-over-internet system will improve communication between the three offices, as well as provide significant cost savings for the agency, according to Steve Todd, Health Officer …

A 12-member jury has been chosen in the trial of Andy Brown. The two-day process of interviewing prospective jurors concluded shortly after 6 p.m. Wednesday, when Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman announced a jury has been seated. More than 150 people were questioned and considered as a potential juror, before prosecutor John McDonough and defense attorney Michael Hills agreed on …