October’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased half a percent from a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 7.8 percent October unemployment rate was up from September’s 7.3 percent figure. The agency said certain summer recreational businesses, including the golf industry, and the loss of seasonal …

Ann Bird has been appointed to head the Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education. Bird will serve as board president, filling the void left by Tom Robertson. Robertson resigned last month after accepting a job as juvenile court director, a position Robertson said could create a conflict of interest. With Bird sworn in as president, Ray Sterling was appointed vice …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a case of furnishing alcohol to minors. According to a department media release, as deputies were looking into the matter Wednesday, they also discovered the suspect had been forging payroll checks. The suspect was arrested for forgery and using a computer to commit a crime. Deputies also learned the suspect was on …

Investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics executed a search warrant Wednesday at a residence in the 1100 block of 3rd Street in Three Rivers. The investigation began with patrol officers attempting to serve an arrest warrant. In the process of executing the warrant, officers noticed marijuana growing on the property. Officers located and seized several marijuana plants, grow …

Two Indiana men were arrested Wednesday evening following a robbery at Village Pharmacy in Colon. An employee reportedly activated a silent alarm which notified police. In the mean time, Colon Police Chief Mark Brinkert, who had just gone off duty, noticed the pair and was following them, since they appeared to be suspicious. He continued to follow the men until …

Robert J. Pierce, 75, of Three Rivers, died on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013 at his home following an extended illness. He was born on June 21, 1938 in Three Rivers the son of Arthur and Neva (Craw) Pierce. He lived all of his life in Three Rivers except four years he served in the U.S. Navy. He was a member …

Rosemary Weirich, age 86, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 10, 2013, at Sturgis Hospital. She was born Aug. 26, 1927, in Richmond, Ind., a daughter of the late Paul and Sarah (Berry) Brenneman. Rosemary resided in Sturgis for several years before her husband’s employment moved them to Dallas, Baltimore, Atlanta, Georgia and Pittsburgh. Upon their retirement, they lived …

Robert F. Magness, age 81, of Sturgis, passed away Monday evening, Dec. 9, 2013, at Borgess Pipp Hospital in Plainwell. He was born April 14, 1932, in Baltimore, a son of the late Charles and Helen (Wolf) Magness. Bob resided in Sturgis since 1975, coming from Michigan City, Ind. His early life was lived in Baltimore. He was a graduate …

Joyce L .Brandt, age 83, of Colon, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013, at her home, surrounded by family. Joyce was born Dec. 8, 1930, in Colon, a daughter of the late Harry and Letha (Vreeland) Murphy. Joyce lived all her life in Colon, attending Colon schools. She married Jack W. Brandt in 1947. She enjoyed reading, baking and working …

Frederick C. “Freddy” Baldwin Jr., age 83, of Sturgis, passed away Monday morning, Dec. 9, 2013, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. He was born July 22, 1930 in Branch County, a son of the late Frederick C. Baldwin Sr. and Maybelle (Gintling) Parnin. Frederick was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force for 20 years and served in Korea. …