News

An Ottawa County man was found guilty of 16 counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct following a jury trial that concluded last week. Officials from St. Joseph County Circuit Court said James Zacharko  II, 46, of Zeeland, was accused of having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old St. Joseph County girl over a four-month period in 2012. Over the course …

Organizers of the 45th Michigan Magic Day, staged over the weekend in Colon, hailed the event as a success. The annual gathering marked the first time Colon has hosted the event, which drew more than 100 magicians to activities Friday and Saturday. Ron Carnell, a member of the Colon-based International Brotherhood of Magicians 386, said a Saturday morning magic competition …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a breaking-and-entering incident in Sherman Township. Department officials said the suspects forced entry into a residence in the 24000 Block of Mintdale Road between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. last Thursday. Several items were stolen, including jewelry, a safe, and a 32-inch LCD television. Meanwhile, officials with the state police said a …

The Sturgis Police Department is seeking charges for arson against a 16-year-old boy. The suspect confessed to setting fire to a house in the 100 block of East Congress Street on March 9. Sgt. Amanda Coney said a joint investigation buy Sturgis police, fire and the state fire marshal during and following the incident contributed to pinpointing the suspect. Coney …

The fifth person arrested in connection with the mob beating of a Macomb County man on Detroits west side last week has now been charged. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy’s office is charging 19-year-old Latrez Cummings with assault with intent to murder and assault with intent to do great bodily harm. A 16-year-old is facing assault and ethnic intimidation charges. …

A man who pleaded guilty to murder in the shooting deaths of a northern Indiana convenience store’s owner and an employee has been sentenced to 120 years in prison. Twenty-nine-year-old Kevin Moore of Elkhart was sentenced Thursday after pleading guilty mentally ill in January to two counts of murder in the September deaths of 55-year-old Jagtar Bhatti and 20-year-old Pawan …

The St. Joseph County Transportation Authority is seeking approval for a millage-request renewal in August. During Thursday’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners’ executive committee meeting, CTA director Steve Yorks said the request would ask for renewal of 0.33 mills for a four-year period. Committee members recommended the request appears before the board during its twice-a-month meeting Tuesday. After it …

St. Joseph County officials acknowledged a grant-application request from the sheriff’s department for preliminary-breath-test units. During Thursday’s executive committee meeting, county administrator Pat Yoder said law enforcement agencies in the county use the PBT units to assist deputies with drivers suspected of being intoxicated or impaired. Time and usage has resulted in a need for new units. Committee members agreed …

Here’s a reminder from the Three Rivers Department of Public Services will begin its twice-a-year hydrant flushing Sunday night. Amy Roth, DPS director, said the flushing will start at 11 p.m. Sunday. She said crews expect flushing to continue Sunday through Thursday nights through the end of May. Each flushing will take place between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. The …

Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller confirmed at a press conference Wednesday morning that the body found in a northern Indiana lake last weekend is Teleka Patrick, the Kalamazoo doctor who had been missing since December. An autopsy, conducted Tuesday, positively identified the body as Patrick through fingerprints and dental records. The body was discovered Sunday by a fisherman in Lake …