The one thing I enjoy about the winter months is that there aren’t very many mosquitos around. The same can be said for flies. There is nothing more annoying than to be eating a sandwich, and at the same time, swatting the flies away from your food. I’ve often commented about the need for those flying pests. The only thing …

February’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased for the second consecutive month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 8.3 percent January unemployment rate was seven-tenths percent of an increase from December. Still, the January 2013 rate was 1.8 percent less than the same month one year earlier. The …

A hit-and-run crash shortly before 5 a.m. Monday in Sturgis Township is being investigated by the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department. Department officials said a midsize car of unknown make, model and color was westbound on U.S. 12, west of Shimmel Road, and side-swiped the victim’s vehicle. The suspect vehicle, which continued west on U.S.12, may have damage to the …

A 23-year-old Elkhart man was airlifted to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo after he was injured in a one-vehicle crash Sunday in Constantine Township. Investigators from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said Bradley Owen was driving on North River Road when he drove off the roadway near Maple Road and his truck ran into a tree. Owen had to …

Members of the Animal Rescue Fund of St. Joseph County have announced the agency’s monthly meeting for April. The 7 p.m. meeting April 7 will take place at the St Joseph County Intermediate School District, south of Centreville. The agenda includes discussion about upcoming festival parades, fundraisers and new fundraising ideas. Spay and neuter, and food pantry information will also …

The first of two suspects accused of murdering a 74-year-old Kalamazoo antiques dealer last summer has been sentenced to a mandatory term of life in prison without chance of parole. A Kalamazoo County Circuit Court jury in February convicted 21-year old Antonio Livingston of first-degree murder, felony murder, assault with intent to rob and first-degree home invasion. Livingston and 52-year …

Alice M. Hutchins, 97, of Cincinnati, Ohio, died March 22, 2013, at the Courtyard at Seasons in Cincinnati, Ohio. She had been in declining health since December. She was born May 12, 1915, in Constantine, Mich., a daughter to Christian and Phoebe (Miller) Miller. She has resided in Cincinnati since February 2012, coming from New Jersey and Oak Park, Ill. where …

Ronald KinKade Carpenter of Arcadia, Fla., passed away March 15, 2013 in Port Charlotte, Fla. He was born in Three Rivers, Nov. 11, 1941 to Mary Altonia Mercer and Hubert K. Carpenter. On Sept. 1, 1994 Ron married Joyce Scott in Fla. She survives along with two stepdaughters; two stepsons; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sister, Naoma Irelan, White Pigeon, brothers, …

Mayor Tom Lowry and members of the Three Rivers City Commission have authorized an upgrade of residential water meters. City officials estimate more than 1,300 meters will be upgraded in order to make it easier to read water meters and quickly identify leaks. Between installation and materials, the measure will cost just under $330,000. The city has been budgeting for …

White Pigeon municipal officials have sold the former village office and adjacent parking lot. The deal was announced last week after the village had previously announced it was accepting bids for the building and property. Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene submitted a $14,000 bid for the parcel, at 118 S. Kalamazoo St. The church, which operates in a building just …