News

White Pigeon Days concluded its three-day run Sunday, with a community church service and picnic at Wade Park. Event organizers said Saturday night’s fireworks show was viewed by thousands of people who parked as far away as Dickinson Road to watch the display. Earlier in the evening, Constantine High School’s alumni football squad topped a White Pigeon alumni team, 14-6. …

Deliberations in the Andy Brown trial remain ongoing, as the 12-member jury has not yet reached a verdict. The eighth day of the trial Friday featured little action in Judge Paul Stutesman’s circuit court room. An evidence-related question by jurors brought them into the court at 1:30 p.m. Stutesman conferred with prosecutor John McDonough and defense attorney Michael Hills to …

After nearly five hours of deliberations Thursday, jurors in the Andy Brown trial will continue the process beginning at 8 a.m. today. Jurors began deliberations at 12:15 p.m., after closing arguments were heard from prosecutor John McDonough and defense attorney Michael Hills. McDonough wrapped things up with a 30-minute rebuttal to Hills’ 92 minutes of closing arguments. Circuit court judge …

Citizen tips regarding marijuana-related activity resulted in the confiscation of nearly 22 marijuana plants Wednesday in Lockport Township. A sheriff’s department media release stated members of the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit executed a search warrant in the 20000 block of M-86 regarding the manufacture of marijuana. A search of the residence resulted in the seizure of 22 marijuana …

A 20-year-old Three Rivers woman suffered minor injuries following a one-vehicle crash Tuesday in Nottawa Township. Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff Department were dispatched at 11:35 p.m. to Findley Road, west of Ironwood Drive, where a vehicle driven by Chelsea Gabbard had rolled over and came to rest against a tree. Gabbard told police she fell asleep at …

Raymond McCann, who was charged with perjury in connection with the Jodi Parrack murder case, has been ordered to stand trial. The development took place following a preliminary examination Wednesday in St. Joseph County District Court before Judge Robert Pattison. Pattison ruled that enough evidence exists for the 46-year-old McCann to stand trial. Assistant prosecutor Erin Harrington said a single …

Closing statements and jury deliberations are expected to begin today, as the Andy Brown murder trial enters its final phase. Testimony from witnesses for both prosecutor John McDonough and defense attorney Michael Hills concluded Wednesday, when seven witnesses took the stand on what was the sixth day of the trial. Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman said juror instructions would be …

A search warrant was executed this week at a residence in the village of Centreville for methamphetamine. According to a sheriff’s department media release, members of the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit were given a tip about a marijuana grow in the 300 block of West Main Street. Officers made contact Tuesday with residents at the address and executed …

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 …