Homepage Featured News Center

A preliminary examination for a former Constantine reserve police officer charged with lying in testimony he gave to prosecutors investigating the 2007 death of 11-year-old Jodi Parrack was postponed last week for a second time. The attorney for defendant Raymond McCann II requested postponement and the matter has been rescheduled for July 9 before District Judge Robert Pattison. McCann has …

Members of the Constantine Village Council voted to have the village participate in a 2014 St. Joseph County mutual-aid, police-assistance agreement. The agreement is a collaboration among the St. Joseph County Sheriff ‘ s Department and agencies from Sturgis, Burr Oak, Centreville, Colon, Constantine, Mendon, Three Rivers and White Pigeon. Village manager Mark Honeysett said neighboring communities have always lent …

A Sturgis resident reported his vehicle was vandalized and gas was stolen from it at some point during a five-day period last week. State police said the incident occurred near Ilene and East West streets in Sturgis. The victim said the incident took place between June 16 and June 20. In addition, the suspect broke into the victim’s garage and …

A 12-member jury has been chosen in the trial of Andy Brown. The two-day process of interviewing prospective jurors concluded shortly after 6 p.m. Wednesday, when Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman announced a jury has been seated. More than 150 people were questioned and considered as a potential juror, before prosecutor John McDonough and defense attorney Michael Hills agreed on …

A Three Rivers man was charged with a number of motor-vehicle violations following an incident last weekend in Flowerfield Township. State police said a trooper was dispatched to the area of Null and Pulver roads around 6:30 p.m. Sunday in response to a civil complaint. While the trooper was on the scene, a 42-year-old man who was involved in the …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has signed a contract with a Sturgis-area man to serve as the grounds attendant at Cade Lake County Park. During action earlier this month, the commission and Burr Oak Township resident Richard Dell settled an agreement leading to Dell’s role for the summer and early fall months at the Fawn River Township park. …

Centreville’s village president could face charges after his son and son’s girlfriend were arrested earlier this month. Evidence from a six-week investigation indicates village president Jeff Johnson knew about warrants and drug involvement specific to his son, Jeffrey Charles Johnson, and his son’s girlfriend, Karissa Baltz. The couple was living in the village president’s home. Centreville Police Chief Luke Delcourt …

Jury selection for the trial of Andy Brown is scheduled to begin Tuesday morning. Brown, 37, is accused of fatally shooting accountant David Locey at Locey’s office north of Sturgis last October. The trial will begin after Brown‘s attorney, Michael Hills of Kalamazoo, unsuccessfully fought against the bind-over-to-trial process. According to court documents, Hills argued there is not enough evidence …

Sturgis police were involved in a four-hour standoff last week with a man who barricaded himself inside a residence in the 600 block of Devonshire Drive, in the northeast quadrant of the city. According to a department media release, police were called around 9:20 a.m. Friday in response to a suicidal man who had a handgun. A perimeter was set …

Three people were taken into custody on drug-related charges following an incident Wednesday in Sturgis. According to the Sturgis Department of Public Safety, a tip regarding possible drug activity in the 1500 block of South Centreville Road was received earlier in the day. Officers made contact with two of the parties involved and discovered a large amount of crystal methamphetamine …