Business

Testimony was provided by more than a dozen witnesses Wednesday in the preliminary-examination hearing of Andy Brown. Brown, 37, is accused of fatally shooting Sturgis-area CPA David Locey last month at Locey’s Sherman Township office. In all, 13 people testified before District Court Judge Jeff Middleton, with more testimony to be provided today. Middleton will then determine whether enough evidence …

Wisconsin-based Culver’s restaurant has announced it is opening a location in Sturgis next year. Michael and Jennifer Miller, who own Culver’s locations in Coldwater and Battle Creek, are developing the restaurant at 830 S. Centerville Road. It is slated to open in September following a four-month construction period, city officials said. The restaurant’s signature items are its made-to-order ButterBurger and …

Black Gold Farms invites the public to help itself to as many potatoes as it can transport. Ray Baker, manager of the Sturgis Township-based business, said limited capacity means the potatoes would otherwise end up being discarded. Baker said the potatoes are supposed to be a certain size to conform with guidelines preferred by potato chip manufacturers. He said this …

Governor Rick Snyder has signed legislation into law that will effectively give buyers of new vehicles, RV’s and boats a tax break when they trade-in an old vehicle or boat. The bills discontinue charging sales tax on trade-in vehicles and boats, when a new purchase takes place. However the break will be phased-in over a 24-year period for vehicles. In …

The identity of a Sturgis man who died in a crash last week in Florence Township has been confirmed. Corey Michael Draime, 27, was declared dead at the scene of the one-car crash just after 1 a.m. Oct. 27 in the 65000 block of Lutz Road. St. Joseph County Sheriff’s deputies said Draime was driving a vehicle stolen from the …

A two-vehicle collision Wednesday afternoon in Lockport Township resulted in occupants from both automobiles seeking medical treatment. State police investigators said a northbound car on U.S. 131 was approaching North Main Street when the driver of a southbound Ford Contour attempted to turn left onto Main Street in front of it. A 17-year-old Three Rivers girl was driving the Contour. …

A stream of southbound vehicles Wednesday morning was the first group of vehicles to travel the now-open U.S. 131 Constantine Bypass. A ceremony to commemorate the completion of the $18 million task was staged two weeks ago, so the opening was done Wednesday without fanfare. Traffic to the northbound lane was permitted about half an hour later, around 11 a.m., …

Members of the Sturgis City Commission last week approved tax-break requests for three businesses. The requests for Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificates were granted to Mayer Tool and Engineering, Americraft Carton and Burr Oak Tool. Mayer Tool’s request was for a 12-year abatement of almost $55,000 on the purchase of new equipment. Americraft Carton sought $6.2 million was for new equipment …

A one-car crash in Florence Township over the weekend has left one man dead. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the vehicle was being driven north on Lutz Road when it crossed the centerline, went off the road and struck a tree in the 65000 block around 1:30 a.m. Sunday. The vehicle, which was reported stolen from Sturgis and …

Two people suffered minor injuries in a two-vehicle accident over the weekend in Fabius Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Becky Sue Elliot, a 42-year-old White Pigeon resident, was attempting to turn east onto Broadway Road from southbound U.S. 131, when she turned in the path of an oncoming vehicle. The northbound vehicle was driven by 51-year-old David …