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January’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased by more than 1 percent from December. Figures from the monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget show St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate rose from 4.2 percent in December to 5.4 percent in January. Meanwhile, Cass County also experienced a jump in its unemployment figures from December …

Volunteers interested in helping with a clean-up effort at Scidmore Park in Three Rivers have another opportunity to participate. The community effort starts at 10 a.m. Friday. Organizers will assemble at the petting zoo entrance. Tasks include moving branches to paved areas, raking debris into piles, clearing leaves and cleaning paved surfaces. Potential participants are encouraged to bring their own …

St. Joseph County Probate Court Judge Kevin Kane announced the opening of Family Treatment Court. Kane said its purpose is to serve as a resource for parents struggling with substance abuse. Its first participant was admitted last month. The program was established thanks to a collaboration between Juvenile Court staff members, St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office, Michigan Department of Health …

A Niles man was hospitalized after he was involved in a one-vehicle crash last week in Cass County’s Milton Township. Sheriff Clint Roach said deputies were called shortly after 3 a.m. Friday to the intersection of Beebe Road and Runkle Street in response to a crash with injuries. Roach said Cory McBain, 61, was driving east on Beebe Road when …

A member of the Branch County Prosecutor’s Office has been appointed to a judicial seat. Governor Gretchen Whitmer last week appointed Prosecutor Zachary Stempien to serve as the Branch County 15th Circuit Court Judge. He is filling a partial term due to the resignation of Judge William O’Grady. Stempien was elected prosecuting attorney in 2020. He announced in December his …

Residents in St. Joseph County and other counties in the region can expect to see low-flying helicopters beginning this week. The flights are part of a U.S. Geological Survey, water-monitoring project to image geology and aquifers using airborne geophysical technology. The flights started Monday and will continue into August. The survey will span 16 counties. In addition to St. Joseph …

Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County is hosting its annual “Celebration of Families and Habitat for Humanity” event Thursday. The celebration starts at 6 p.m. Thursday at Sturges-Young Civic Auditorium in Sturgis. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Meanwhile, tickets for a full table for eight is $450, a table for four is $250 and a single seat is $65. More …

Here’s a reminder that Camp Eberhart invites the public to participate in its annual Cabin Clean-Up Day this weekend. The work day starts at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Prior to that, however, breakfast will be served at 8 o’clock. Event organizers said the day-long task will allow for cabins and the beach area to be prepared to host campers starting in …

Three Rivers Police Department is appealing to the public for help in identifying the driver involved in a hit-and-run incident last week. According to a department media release, officers responded April 10 to an area near the intersection of South Grant Avenue and Hill Street regarding a 10-year-year-old child struck while operating an electric scooter. The driver of the vehicle …

Michigan Department of Transportation officials said a road project that started Monday in Nottawa Township features a second component. MDOT’s Nick Schirripa said the original project covers 1.1 miles and extends east from Nottawa Street in Centreville to Shimmel Road. The second phase is a $4.5 million project from Shimmel Road east to M-66, all within Nottawa Township. Covering five …