News

Members of the St. Joseph County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 106 presented $500 checks to the Sturgis American Legion Post 73 and Three Rivers American Legion Post 170 during a ceremony Thursday at the FOP lodge, east of Centreville. Treasurer Kathy Pangle presented the money to Al Phillips, of the Three Rivers legion, and Norm Brown, representing the Sturgis …

Thirteen stores in the Three Rivers downtown business district will be a part of a contest this weekend. Free homemade cookies will be available at each location and the public is asked to vote on its favorite. Each vote qualifies as an entry into a drawing for a $50 “Downtown Dollars” certificate. The event is Saturday and Sunday at Love …

Two men from Nappanee, Ind., were identified Thursday as the suspects in an alleged armed robbery attempt at Village Pharmacy in Colon. St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough said David Brandys, 22, and Benjamin Dodson, 24, have been charged with two counts of assault with intent to commit armed robbery, one count of fleeing and eluding, and felony firearm. They …

A judge has sentenced a northern Indiana teenager to 65 years in prison for the fatal drive-by shooting of another teen. Seventeen-year-old Jesus Macedo-Perez of Elkhart read during Thursday’s court hearing from a handwritten letter apologizing to the family of 16-year-old Braxton Barhams for the June 22 shooting. Macedo-Perez pleaded guilty to murder charges in exchange for Elkhart County prosecutors …

As lawmakers have ended their work in Lansing for the year, Governor Rick Snyder admits he didn’t get everything he wanted in 2013, but he still appears satisfied. He had asked that the Legislature fund repairs to Michigan’s ailing roads this year, and while that never happened, the governor says he feels they had a very positive, constructive year. He …

October’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased half a percent from a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 7.8 percent October unemployment rate was up from September’s 7.3 percent figure. The agency said certain summer recreational businesses, including the golf industry, and the loss of seasonal …

Ann Bird has been appointed to head the Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education. Bird will serve as board president, filling the void left by Tom Robertson. Robertson resigned last month after accepting a job as juvenile court director, a position Robertson said could create a conflict of interest. With Bird sworn in as president, Ray Sterling was appointed vice …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a case of furnishing alcohol to minors. According to a department media release, as deputies were looking into the matter Wednesday, they also discovered the suspect had been forging payroll checks. The suspect was arrested for forgery and using a computer to commit a crime. Deputies also learned the suspect was on …

Investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics executed a search warrant Wednesday at a residence in the 1100 block of 3rd Street in Three Rivers. The investigation began with patrol officers attempting to serve an arrest warrant. In the process of executing the warrant, officers noticed marijuana growing on the property. Officers located and seized several marijuana plants, grow …

Two Indiana men were arrested Wednesday evening following a robbery at Village Pharmacy in Colon. An employee reportedly activated a silent alarm which notified police. In the mean time, Colon Police Chief Mark Brinkert, who had just gone off duty, noticed the pair and was following them, since they appeared to be suspicious. He continued to follow the men until …