Government

The Michigan Court of Appeals upheld the murder conviction of Andy Brown in the 2013 shooting death of Sturgis CPA David Locey. The court released a 16-page opinion Wednesday, denying Brown a new trial. Brown is serving a maximum of 75 years in prison for second-degree murder and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He was …

Officials from the village of Burr Oak have agreed to dissolve the community’s police department and contract protection through the St. Joseph County Sheriff ’s Department. During a special meeting Wednesday, village council members went into closed session, where they met with chief Cynthia Miller. After the closed session, a motion was made to accept the sheriff department’s contract and, …

A $50,000 blight-elimination grant from the state and nearly $14,000 in Sturgis city funding will pay to demolish three deteriorated, single-family homes this year. The properties, located at 103 St. Joseph St., 116 S. Orange St. and 303 S. Fourth St., have structural issues that officials said represent safety hazards and negatively affect neighborhood property values. Fire damage and lack …

David Vago, who was offered the job of executive director of the Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority/Michigan Main Street, informed officials he will accept the post. Currently a California resident, Vago will begin the job June 6. Vago is a farm technician at East Bay Regional Park District in Oakland. He will be paid a $42,000 annual salary for the …

The autopsy has been completed, following what police had originally labeled as a suspicious death. Police chief Mark Honeysett said no foul play is suspected in the death of 53-year-old Thomas Astling. He apparently died early this week at his home in the Whispering Pines Mobile Home park on South Washington Street. His body was discovered Wednesday afternoon.

A Sturgis woman has died as the result of a car-pedestrian accident Wednesday evening at the intersection of South Centreville and Fawn River Roads. The victim was identified as 20-year-old Michal Webb. She was reportedly walking her dog when she was struck by the car, which was driven by a 25-year-old female from Howe, Indiana. The dog was killed in the …

The first of what organizers hope is an annual fundraiser for the county’s Animal Control agency takes place 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at the Sturgis Elks. It is being hosted by the St. Joseph County Animal Control Advisory Board. Emily Frohriep, chair of the nine-member panel, said the outpouring of support from the business community has helped make it …

Klinger Lake resident Paul Watters, a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, joined state Rep. Aaron Miller on the House floor Tuesday to mark the 71st anniversary of the allied victory in Europe over the Axis forces. VE Day occurred May 8, 1945, when Germany surrendered. Watters served in the Pacific Theatre of Operations during the war and was …

Six ballot questions – including two funding-increase requests – will appear on the August primary ballot in St. Joseph County. The deadline for questions to appear on the ballot was Tuesday. Sturgis Public Schools submitted its sinking-fund request shortly before the deadline after district officials agreed Monday to move forward with the request. St. Joseph County’s largest school district is …

St. Joseph County voters in August will decide between two candidates for county clerk and county treasurer. Incumbent clerk Lindsay Oswald, who was appointed to the post in July 2015, is seeking the four-year term. A Lockport Township resident, the 36-year-old Oswald is being challenged by Melissa Marsh, 30, of Fabius Township. Judie Ratering, incumbent county treasurer, is vying for …