Government

Key staffing positions were filled Tuesday for the county-backed College Access Network. The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners hired Ann Happel, Brian McDaniel and Anita Schlabach as service providers for the countywide program. College Access Network stemmed from the Sturgis SUCCESS program, which helps students become better prepared for secondary education, whether it’s at the community college level, a …

The Sturgis firefighter charged with four counts of criminal sexual conduct has been dismissed from the department. Sturgis fire officials said Joshua Jason Snyder, 36, was separated from the department Friday following an internal investigation of the allegations. Fire officials said Snyder violated a number of the department’s general orders regarding personnel conduct. Snyder, who was with the department four …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a break-in at an area golf course and issuing a warning to its customers. According to sheriff’s officials, thieves took cash and personal checks from Pine View Golf Course between 2 a.m. Monday and 7 a.m. Tuesday. Access to the clubhouse was gained through a back door that was compromised with a …

Investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit executed a search warrant in the 100-block of Middle Street in Three Rivers on Tuesday. Police had received information regarding illegal narcotics trafficking at the home. Investigators will be seeking charges in the case which will be turned over to the prosecutor’s office for review.

Investigators from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department wish to clarify that alleged sexual encounters between Sturgis firefighter Joshua Snyder and a then-15-year-old girl did not take place at a Sturgis school. Snyder was formally charged Wednesday with one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of third- degree CSC and two counts of fourth- degree CSC for a …

St. Joseph County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 24000 block of M-86 Friday in Nottawa Township regarding a breaking-and-entering incident.  According to a department media release, cash was taken and items inside an unoccupied dwelling were damaged.

State police said a bicycle was found last week in Mottville Township. The girls bicycle was located in an area along U.S. 12 and Vistula Road. The bicycle can be claimed by making positive identification and alerting the state police post in Coldwater, at 517-278-2373.

Despite maintaining his innocence, Andy Brown was sentenced Friday to serve at least 39 years in prison for killing Sturgis CPA David Locey last October. The sentence was issued by St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman, who assigned Brown between 37 1/2 and 75 years for second-degree murder, and two years for felony use of a firearm. Stutesman …

Members of the Sturges-Young Auditorium board and Sturgis Council of the Arts board have voted to merge the two boards. The two boards approved the plan in July and the measure was solidified Wednesday, when the Sturgis City Commission approved the merger. The newly created Auditorium Board of Directors will consist of one city commissioner and a maximum of 22 …

The Sturgis firefighter arrested Tuesday was arraigned Wednesday afternoon. Joshua Jason Snyder, 36, is being held on $40,000 bond after he was charged with one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count CSC third degree and two counts CSC fourth degree. The alleged encounters began in November of 2013 and continued into this month. Investigators also found sexually explicit …