The state says Michigan’s annual average unemployment rate fell in 2015, marking the sixth straight yearly decline. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget said Wednesday that the preliminary annual average unemployment rate was 5.4 percent last year, down from the 2014 annual rate of 7.3 percent. The 2015 measure was slightly above the 5.3 percent national annual rate. …

The family of a Battle Creek woman who was killed by a downed power line has won a crucial court decision in a lawsuit against Consumers Energy. The Michigan appeals court says it was “reasonably foreseeable” that an injury could occur from failing to inspect a power line in a residential area. The court overturned a decision by a Calhoun …

Anna M Gary, of Vicksburg, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016, at the age of 92. Anna was born April 20, 1923, in Wakelee, a daughter of Clark and Margaret (Lemke) Brown. She graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1942. On Sept. 27, 1942, she married Russell D. Gary. Anna is survived by her three children, Gloria Gary-Smith of …

Nearly two dozen people voiced an opinion Monday on the Constantine Village Council’s recent discussion about consideration of a ban on assault weapons. In December, president Pat Weiss distributed two articles about federal assault weapons to the council. Weiss said her intention was not to pass a law, but never said anything about banning assault weapons. The council took no …

St. Joseph County’s board of commissioners renewed contracts with three high-ranking employees Tuesday. The County administrator’s contract was extended through 2016. J. Patrick Yoder, 67, joined the county in April 2013. His new contract includes a 2 percent raise, which gives him a base salary of nearly $118,000 annually. Finance director Joni Smith, 53, agreed to a one-year contract renewal. …

Despite the hope for a clean reading, White Pigeon village officials on Wednesday said a boil-water notice must remain in effect village-wide. Municipal officials had notified residents Jan. 7 that the presence of coliform bacteria had been detected in the water supply. Since then, they have been urging residents to boil water before use or use bottled water. White Pigeon …

Nilsa Alvarez, age 50, of Three Rivers, died Monday, Jan. 18, 2016 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was born in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico on May 22, 1965 the daughter of Raphael Alvarez and Maria Rosario. Nilsa was a homemaker and has been a resident of Three Rivers for five years, coming from Massachusetts. She attended the Faith …

A 75-year-old man accused of fatally shooting his ex-wife at their western Michigan home has pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and felony firearm use. Jimmy L. Thrasher entered his plea Tuesday in Kalamazoo County Circuit Court. His attorney told the judge that Thrasher decided to plead no contest since he’s unable to recall the events that led to the …

Authorities say drivers found at fault in a series of crashes that left one woman dead and about a dozen-and-a-half people injured along Interstate 94 in southwestern Michigan are expected to be issued citations. The Kalamazoo Gazette reports the Michigan State Police are early in their investigation into the Sunday afternoon pileup near the Van Buren County community of Hartford. …

Four months after verbally committing to a multi-field sports complex in the Three Rivers area, the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners followed through on its pledge. During Tuesday’s board meeting, commissioners approved a recreation facility agreement that formalizes the $2.8 million commitment. County administrator Pat Yoder said an inordinate amount of legalities had to be sorted through by the …