State Roundup

Sterling Heights
Fallen soldier honored by U. of Mich. scholarship
STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (AP) — Family members are teaming with the University of Michigan to establish a scholarship fund to honor a fallen soldier from Macomb County.
The Staff Sgt. Ergin V. Osman Scholarship will provide financial support for a disabled U.S. military veteran whose injuries were suffered during hostile action. The scholarship also will be available to the children, spouse or committed partner of the wounded veteran.
Osman, who served multiple tours of duty, was killed in 2011 in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.
“The best way I can put it is, I wanted make sure his legacy would never be forgotten,” said Osman’s mother, Sara.
Osman served with the Marines from March 1998 to April 2007, and with the Army from April 2007 until his death in 2011. He earned a number of medals and awards during his military service.
The Osman Scholarship is for students focused in one of three areas: environmental science, environmental engineering or physical education and kinesiology.
Recipients must be residents of Michigan who are enrolled at the University of Michigan; have reached sophomore status; and have a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.
Fern Hill Golf Club in Clinton Township will host a golf outing Sept. 13 to raise money for the scholarship fund.

Battle Creek
Man to stand trial in fatal house fire 
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (AP) — A man has been ordered to stand trial on charges he intentionally set a house fire that killed an 8-year-old Battle Creek girl.
District Judge Frank Line made the ruling Monday after hearing from witnesses during Jesse Tatum’s preliminary examination.
The 25-year-old defendant is charged with felony murder and first-degree arson in the November death of Karrina Johnson.
The girl died at a hospital after a firefighter pulled her from the burning home. Two of her siblings escaped by jumping from a second-floor window.
A witness says the fire followed an argument between Tatum and Karrina’s mother.

Kalkaska
Woman pleads in Michigan HS golf team crash case
KALKASKA, Mich. (AP) — A driver who authorities say was involved in a two-van crash that killed a 31-year-old Michigan high school golf coach, an 18-year-old player and a passenger has pleaded no contest in the case.
Rhonda Mitchell of Kalkaska entered the plea Monday to a misdemeanor charge of committing a moving violation causing death. She had been facing felony manslaughter charges.
Three people died, and six, including Mitchell, were hurt in the April 29 crash in Kalkaska County.
A police investigation shows both Mitchell and Grayling High golf coach Jason Potter were at fault.
Kalkaska County Prosecutor Mike Perrault says he hopes the case will prevent people from driving recklessly.