News

Unemployment in St. Joseph County rose two-tenths of a percent in May compared to April. Figures from the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives show the county’s May unemployment figure was 5.7 percent, up from 5.5 percent in April. The 5.7 percent rate was still lower than the county’s 7.5 percent unemployment compared to the same month in …

Officers from St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department are investigating an injury accident that occurred last week on Colon Road, near Farrand Road, in Colon Township. Shirley Nash, 62, of Colon, was eastbound on Colon Road around 8:30 p.m. Monday, when her vehicle was struck on the passenger’s side by a pickup driven by 18-year-old Dexter West of Burr Oak. West …

The White Pigeon Rotary Club last week passed the gavel to its new president, Mike Brorson. Brorson will serve as club president for the 2014-15 year. Brorson has been a member of Rotary for the past 14 years and is serving his third term as president of the club. Brorson is a broker/owner of RE/MAX Elite Group with offices in …

With two days in the books, testimony in the case against Andy Brown continues this week. A number of key witnesses testified Thursday and Friday about the day Sturgis-area CPA David Locey was found dead in his office north of the city, with a single gunshot wound to his head in October 2013. Testimony began Thursday, when Tammy Brunner, an …

Organizers of the Sturgis Fest community festival said the 2014, seven-day community celebration was considered a success. The festival concluded Saturday with an impressive fireworks show that capped several special events, including a motorcycle show, an old-time baseball game and a kick-off event with a special recognition of Sturgis’ citizens of the year, Kerri Millet and Skip Sisson. Sturgis Fest …

An agreement signed last week between heads of two local secondary universities makes official a pact that allows college students an opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree at Glen Oaks Community College. A ceremony involving Glen Oaks president David Devier and his Trine University’s Earl Brooks II took place Thursday at the Centreville-area campus. Brooks said the agreement means students …

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 …

Sturgis Police were called to the 600-block of Devonshire Friday afternoon in reference to a suicidal 31-year-old man who was armed with a gun. The St. Joseph County Special Response Team was called in to assist, and after three hours of unsuccessful attempts at establishing communication, made entry into the residence. Officers located the man, who was dead from a …

Police from multiple agencies in Calhoun County responded when what officers describe as an argument between a man and his girlfriend, ended with a kidnapping and attempted murder. It happened shortly before 2am Friday in Emmett Township. Police say a man arguing with his girlfriend first attacked another woman in the house and then picked up a knife and stabbed …

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 …