Government

A Pennsylvania laboratory that specializes in materials analysis found gunshot residue on articles of clothing taken from Andy Brown’s vehicle the day David Locey was murdered last year. The finding was detailed Tuesday by Allison Murtha, the manager of a forensic-science department at RJ Lee Group in Monroeville, Pa. Murtha was on the stand for more than two hours during …

Coordinating how Michigan provides alcohol- and drug-abuse counseling throughout the state is now possible thanks to a bill introduced by State Rep. Matt Lori. Public Act 249 requires the Michigan Department of Community Health to establish and maintain credentialing standards for the statewide substance use disorder service systems. The bill is a direct result of recommendations made by the Mental …

In response to last week’s storm, crews from the Three Rivers Department of Public Services will begin a brush pickup next week. DPS officials ask that residents place brush on the terrace, not in the street, by 7 a.m. Monday morning. Crews will be making only one pass to collect brush. The pick-up is for storm damage only. The DPS …

A fire heavily damaged a home in Nottawa Township last weekend. Firefighters were called to a residence in the at 61000 block of Klinger Lake Road aroound 8:45 p.m. Sunday. First-arriving firefighters from Centreville observed heavy smoke coming from the roof. Officials said the fire began in the attic, where the homeowner was repairing a leak in the roof when …

A motorist suffered minor injuries after being involved in a collision with a freight train Monday. According to law-enforcement and rescue personnel, the driver of an SUV was on Cotherman Lake Road in Park Township when he failed to stop for a passing Grand Elk Railroad train. The SUV struck the side of a rail car and rolled onto its …

State police were called to a residence in White Pigeon Township last week in response to the theft of a golf cart. According to an agency media release, the EZ-GO cart was stolen between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning last week from the 71000 block of Lakeview Avenue. The cart has a canopy, front windshield, and headlights and taillights.

Sturgis municipal officials are expected to ask the public for input on whether to sell a piece of park land. Commissioners this week plan to consider ballot language authorizing the sale of Arthur Carls Park to Burr Oak Tool, Inc. The matter will be discussed at Wednesday’s city commission meeting. City manager Mike Hughes said Burr Oak Tool has indicated …

Two people were injured in a traffic accident in Cass County’s Mason Township Monday evening. Henry Eicher, age 32, of Centreville, was eastbound on Old M-205 when he failed to stop for a vehicle which had slowed for a turn. That car was driven by 27-year-old Melissa Tompkins of South Bend. Tompkins and a passenger, Stephanie Keesling, 28, of Edwardsburg, …

Authorities in southern Michigan have identified a man who died in a skydiving accident as a 76-year-old from Indiana. Marshall police say in a news release that the accident happened about 11 a.m. Sunday near Brooks Field in Marshall. The site is about 15 miles east-southeast of Battle Creek. Deputy Chief Scott McDonald says George Speakman of Angola was found …

Tobacco products and alcohol were taken from a Colon business last week after a cinder block was used to smash the window of its front door. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said deputies were called early Tuesday to Village Market, where the break-in occurred earlier in the morning. Video surveillance from the store is being reviewed by investigators.