Government

Longtime Sturgis resident Mark Dvorak was appointed to the Sturgis City Commission Wednesday. With a seat to the nine-member commission open as a result of Michael Wilson’s move from the city’s Third Precinct, Dvorak received four votes from the commission. Kimberly Wilson received two and Mark Ritter earned one endorsement. Dvorak will serve until the term expires in November 2016. …

The mother of homicide victim Jodi Parrack said anyone with knowledge of the incident should step forward and tell the truth. Jo Gilson, mother of 11-year-old Parrack, addressed the media Tuesday at the Constantine Police Department. The event was staged following last week’s arrest of Raymond McCann on a felony charge of perjury. A warrant for McCann’s arrest was issued …

Officers from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department are investigating an injury accident that occurred last week in Mendon Township. A motorcycle driven by Kathy Kline, 54, of Mendon, was southbound at 8:15 p.m. Friday on Silver Street, when she lost control north of Wakeman Road Kline’s motorcycle went off the left side of the roadway. The bike then flipped …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a property-damage complaint from Sturgis Township. According to a department media release, a pickup truck parked near a residence in the 25800 Block of U.S.12 was extensively damaged. The victim told investigators the incident occurred between 9:30 and 10:30 p.m. Friday. A potential suspect vehicle – a black Ford passenger car – …

An all-terrain vehicle was reported stolen earlier this month from a location in Fabius Township. State police investigators said the 2012 Polaris Ranger XP was stolen between April 9 and 12 from the 11000 block of Coon Hollow Road.

A former Constantine resident described as “a person of interest” in the Jodi Parrack murder case has been arrested on a charge of felony perjury. Investigators with the Michigan State Police said Raymond McCann, 46, was a reserve officer with the Constantine Police Department. He was arrested Friday and arraigned in district court over the weekend on the perjury charge, …

Authorities say the body of a missing kayaker has been found in the Flat Rock River in Columbus, Indiana more than two weeks after he disappeared. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources says the body of 27-year-old Enrique Quinonez of Kalamazoo, was found in the river Monday afternoon in Mill Race Park, about 150 yards away from where he was …

Sturgis resident Jerry Rial, 24, was charged with a drug-related offense following his arrest last week. Sturgis police said Rial was arrested around 2:30 a.m. Thursday after a search warrant was executed in the 200 block of North Fourth Street, according to investigators. Rial was charged with delivery of methamphetamine. In addition, 19-year-old Andrew Kidd was arrested after officers discovered …

The St. Joseph County Road Commission has announced seasonal road restrictions have been lifted. The so-called frost law imposed speed and weight restrictions during the freeze-thaw cycle to help preserve the integrity of non-primary roadways. The frost law was put into effect last month.

Mendon Village Manager John Hyden said the Mendon Downtown Development Authority is offering a $10,000 façade-improvement matching grant. Any business willing to dress up the front and/or rear of its exterior, make improvements such as new windows or doors, or refresh or upgrade landscaping, is eligible for the matching funds. He said three business owners have already hired contractors to …