The January unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased by 1 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 5.2 percent January unemployment rate was more than December’s 4.2 percent. January’s unemployment rate, however, was 1.9 percent less than the same month one year earlier, …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency’s Board of Health has released its “Certificates of Excellence” in food service report for 2014. Award recipients represent food establishments that were able to meet stringent criteria during the year. Ninety-six tri-county food service establishments, including restaurants, bars, catering kitchens and schools, received this year’s award. Schools in St. Joseph County to meet the …

St. Joseph County deputies responded to a stolen vehicle complaint last weekend. The owner of the truck said a blue, 2000 Ford F-150 was parked in his driveway Saturday night and it was discovered stolen Sunday morning. The truck has front- and passenger-side damage from a prior crash. It has Michigan license plate CDJ4297. The truck was last seen in …

State Rep. Aaron Miller has announced passage of a budget to fund State Police operations by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State Police. Miller, chairman of the subcommittee, said the panel reported a $612 million budget to fund the law-enforcement agency. Miller said the plan ensures the continuation of vital public-safety programs that have resulted in lowering crime rates in …

June Joy Glide, age 82, of Three Rivers, passed away Sunday, March 29, 2015 at Riverview Manor Nursing Home, Three Rivers. June was born in Monroe, MI on September 7, 1932, a daughter of Paul Richard Thackery and Olga Herrmann. June graduated from Northwestern High School, Detroit. On September 24, 1962, she married Robert H. Glide in Detroit. She worked as a …

Betty Jane Hassenger, age 88, of White Pigeon, made her triumphant entry into Heaven on Palm Sunday, March 29, 2015. Betty was born in Mendon on January 20, 1927, a daughter of Charles and Laura (Yunker) Crotser. She graduated from Mendon High School in 1944. On February 1, 1969, she married R. Duane Hassenger at Howardsville Gospel Chapel. Betty worked as a …

Peggy A. King, age 84, of White Pigeon, passed away Friday, March 27, 2015 at her home, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Constantine on February 22, 1931, she was a daughter of Harley & Clara (Roberts) Leister. Peggy graduated from Constantine High School in 1949 and went to South Bend Business College. On December 15, 1951 she married Robert King …

Arline A. Brown, age 84, of Colon, passed away Thursday, March 26, 2015, at her home, surrounded by her family. Arline was born May 11, 1930, in Evergreen Park, Ill., a daughter of the late Edwin and Sophie (Schwer) Jacques. She lived in the Chicago area early in life, graduating from Calumet High School with the class of 1948. On …

A new statewide poll is showing that Proposal 1, which is on the May ballot in Michigan, is in trouble. The survey was commissioned by the Lansing-based “MIRS” newsletter and conducted by Target Insyght. While pro-Prop 1 ads have been aired heavily for three weeks, 55-percent of likely Michigan voters remain opposed to it. And that figure rises to 65 percent after …

Leo Russell Hurley, age 82, of White Pigeon, died Thursday, March 26, 2015, at Three Rivers Health, following a short illness. He was born June 22, 1932, in Rensselaer, Ind., a son of Leo B. and Martha J. (Critser) Hurley. He had been a resident of White Pigeon since 1974, coming from Rensselaer. He was a high school graduate and …