Police

A candlelight vigil in memory of Sturgis accountant David Locey drew more than 300 people to Free Church Park in downtown Sturgis Saturday night. Organized by family friends Jade Klingler and Leeann Lindsey, the vigil featured reflections from Sturgis City Commissioner Rob Sisson, retired bank executive Frank Iannarelli and retired Sturgis economic development director John Hayes. The trio made frequent …

The Cass County Drug Enforcement Team last week uncovered a comprehensive marijuana-growing operation in Penn Township. Investigators on Wednesday searched a barn in the 16000 block of Dutch Settlement Road and surrounding property and uncovered the operation. Detectives located numerous marijuana plants, more than five pounds of processed marijuana and a loaded firearm. Officials said the estimated street value of …

The St. Joseph County Major Crimes Task Force is continuing its investigation into Wednesday’s homicide of Sturgis accountant David Locey. Meanwhile, 37-year-old Andy Brown was arraigned Thursday afternoon on a charge of embezzlement, a crime that could be connected to Locey’s murder, officials from the St. Joseph County prosecutor’s office said. Brown, a Kalamazoo resident, was formerly employed by Locey …

Three people were taken into custody after a residence in Three Rivers was raided and methamphetamine production was discovered. According to a sheriff’s department media release, members of the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit acted on a citizen tip regarding potential drug activity at a residence in the 200 block of North Hooker Avenue. Once inside the residence, SCAN …

Minor injuries were sustained by motorists involved in a three-vehicle, fog-related accident Monday. State police officials said they responded to a 7 a.m. accident on U.S. 131 and Anderson Road in Mottville Township, where a southbound semi swerved into the northbound lane and struck an oncoming semi that had stopped to turn west onto Anderson Road. The collision also impacted …

Fishing gear, a 10-foot kayak and other boating accessories were stolen from a cabin in Lockport Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department was called to a seasonal residence in the 57000 block of Holtom Road to investigate the incident, which occurred between Sept. 13 and 27. Details regarding access to the building were not provided in a department media …

A large amount of copper wire was stolen from farm equipment and grain bins at a site in the 29000 block of Brandt Road in Colon Township, according to state police. The incident, which possibly occurred within the past week, was reported Monday morning, according to authorities.

A 42-year-old Kalamazoo County man is headed to prison for killing his wife after an argument over cooking dinner. John Kovach of Comstock Township was sentenced to 18 to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty on September 5 to second-degree murder and the felonious use of a firearm. Police found the body of 40-year old Nancy Kovach in the …

A broad affiliation of groups including representives from law enforcement, traffic safety, insurance and natural resources is reminding motorists that October and November are the two most dangerous months for car-deer crashes in Michigan. The Michigan Deer Crash Coalition says motorists should be aware that these crashes can cause more than just damage to the vehicle. Car-deer crashes resulted in …

Six people were in a vehicle involved in a personal-injury accident last weekend in Cass County. Sheriff Joe Underwood Jr. said deputies were called shortly after 1 o’clock Sunday morning to North Peninsula Drive, near Union Road, in Porter Township, regarding a one-vehicle accident. Underwood said the driver, 18-year-old Connor Gest, of Elkhart, was the driver of a vehicle that …