The May unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased eight-tenths of a percent compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 4.7 percent May unemployment rate was higher than April’s 3.9 percent. May’s unemployment rate, however, was 1.1 percent less than the same month one year …

History was made last week in Centreville, as a pair of Three Rivers residents became the first same-sex couple to marry in St. Joseph County. Not long after the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, Susan Henry and Dawn Munson arrived to county clerk Pattie Bender’s office to complete a marriage license. The two decided on a …

Three school board members subject to a recall have through Monday next week to appeal a decision Friday that will allow the process to continue. Three Rivers Board of Education members Waneta Truckey, Carl Barth and board president Mike Bosma did not indicate after Friday’s clarity/factual hearing what course of action they plan to follow. The three-member St. Joseph County …

Donald Dean Bent, 81, of Three Rivers, passed away on Thursday, June 25th at the Heartland Healthcare Center. He was born on March 15, 1934 in Marcellus, the son of the late John and Edith (James) Bent. Mr. Bent has been a life long resident of Marcellus and Three Rivers. On June 20th, 1953 he was united in marriage to …

In loving memory of Gerald Edwin Lefler, 71, of Roanoke, VA who passed away on Monday, June 22, 2015. He was a 1962 graduate of Three Rivers High School.  He retired from Roanoke College as the Head Grounds Keeper. Jerry loved taking care of his pond and working outside. He is survived by his wife, Sandie Lefler; daughter, Cassie Lefler; …

Members of the St. Joseph County Election Commission agreed Friday that the language in petitions to recall a trio of Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education members is clear. As a result, the recall process against board members Waneta Truckey, Carl Barth and board president Mike Bosma will be allowed to continue. The decision was made by the three-member …

Lately, I’ve been giving some serious thought to manhole covers. They are round so that they won’t fall into the hole they cover, but that’s just about all I know about them. What’s under those cast iron objects that appear at least once on every city block? If I were to open one up and crawl inside, would I discover …

St. Joseph County officials hope a program they have discussed will increase the number of quality candidates for deputy positions with the sheriff’s department. During an executive committee meeting earlier this month, county administrator Pat Yoder said undersheriff Mark Lillywhite proposed an idea that is an option for not having a strong candidate pool. Yoder said the process begins with …

Two people were taken to the hospital following a two-vehicle accident earlier this week in Fabius Township. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, 76-year-old Mary Corban of South Bend was driving south on U.S. 131 when her vehicle collided with an eastbound car driven by Catherine Kull, 61, of Niles. Kull was on M-60 and, according to investigators, …

Colon Community Schools addressed a pair of business matters during its June meeting. The board granted tenure to Great Start Readiness Program teacher Sara Lindsey, and high school life skills and English teacher Kim Klocke. Also, the board adopted the district’s 2015-16 school year calendar. The first day will be Sept. 8 – the latest possible start date. Christmas break …