May’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was half a percent higher than the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s 4.2 percent May unemployment rate marked an increase from April’s 3.7 percent. St. Joseph County’s rate was slightly greater than the state unemployment average, which was 3.9 percent …

Here’s the weekly update from the Michigan Department of Transportation regarding the reconstruction of US-131 in Three Rivers. MDOT officials said the Stage 2 traffic pattern remains in place and operating with two-way traffic taking place on southbound US-131. Bridge work at the Rocky River bridge, north of Hoffman Road, continues. Meanwhile, MDOT crews are also focusing on the M-60 …

Members of the St. Joseph County Historical Society have completed a three-year restoration of the former White Pigeon Prairie U. S. Land Office. During the opening day of White Pigeon Days last Friday, historical society president Lori Dahlquist surprised curator Holly Stephenson with a plaque recognizing the energy and effort Stephenson put into the restoration campaign. Many other people, including …

A Dowagiac woman was arrested on drug-related charges following a traffic stop last week. Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke said Renietta Szulczyk, 31, was in a vehicle stopped Thursday at the corner of Main and Walnut streets in the city of Dowagiac. Deputies allegedly found methamphetamine and analogue medications in her purse, according to Behnke. In addition, Szulczyk was wanted …

Leo Daniel Hedrington, age 66, of Cherokee Village, Arkansas, passed away on Tuesday, June 25, 2019.  He was born May 3, 1953, in Three Rivers. His primary interest was travel by motorcycle from an early age; he loved the freedom of riding and had visited many states across the U.S.  He also enjoyed playing guitar and participating in and attending sporting events; …

The Centreville school board has rated superintendent Stephanie Lemmer “highly effective” and extended her contract through 2021. The 37-year-old Lemmer received an overall evaluation score of 91 percent. Board president Jeff Troyer said that over the past year, Lemmer showed growth in labor relations and staff relations. Financial terms of Lemmer’s contract call for a two percent base salary increase, to …

Members of the Centreville Public Schools Board of Education approved some personnel matters Monday. The board approved hiring Laura Schmidt as elementary school social worker and appointed elementary librarian Mary Beals as the high school’s summer school teacher. Board members renewed coaching contracts for Shawn Hulin, girls’ track; Mike Hunter, boys’ track; Stephen Larsen, golf; and Scott Logan, softball. Baseball …

White Pigeon Days, the third community festival in St. Joseph County this summer, wraps up today. The fire department pancake and sausage breakfast starts at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, which will complement a car show that begins at 8 a.m. The midway – featuring merchants, booths and inflatables – opens at 9 a.m. A home run derby starts at 10 a.m. …

Gertrude Krieg, age 86, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday, June 27, 2019, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born Aug. 5, 1932, in Knott County, Ky., a daughter of the late William and Miranda (Napier) Shephard. Gertrude moved to Sturgis in 1967, was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church for 44 years. She …

Andrew Thomas DeBoer, age 65, of Three Rivers, passed away on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at his home. He was born on June 20, 1954 in Chicago, the son of the late James C. and Celia (Boomker) DeBoer. Andrew graduated from Tinley Park High School in 1972 and moved to the Three Rivers area. Andrew worked as a heavy machine …