April’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was one-tenth of a percent lower than the month previous. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s 3.4 percent April unemployment rate marked a decrease from March’s 3.5 percent. St. Joseph County remained below the state unemployment average, which was 3.7 percent in April. …

Blake Piper was named the 2016 Constantine “Firefighter of the Year” during a ceremony in April at the Constantine Fire Department. Chief Mike Haydon presented Piper with a plaque. Haydon said Piper has done a great job, has a great perspective on what has to be done and he does it. Haydon added that he takes new employees under his …

A fundraiser to benefit a Sturgis Elks program – and to honor the memory of a former member – drew more than 30 participants Saturday. Organized by Klinger Lake resident John Nelson, “The Braddle” canoe and kayak paddle from Thompson Lake to Klinger Lake honored Brad Baker. The 55-year-old Baker passed away from brain cancer in November 2015 and was …

Tommee Hughes, age 98, of Leonidas, died Friday, May 26, 2017 at Thurston Woods in Sturgis. He was born on Aug. 9, 1918 in Kouts, IN the son of Nelson and Birdella (Anderson) Hughes. The family later moved to Michigan, where Tommee graduated from Colon High School in 1936. Tommee was married to Margaret Hoopingarner on April 9, 1939 in …

Elizabeth Marlene Kunz,age 65, of Three Rivers passed away Sunday ,May 21, 2017 at her home surrounded by her family after a short illness. She was born in Three Rivers, MI on April 24, 1952 the daughter of Robert L. and Beverly (Hoffheins). Elizabeth was united in marriage to Berlin Kunz, Jr. on November 2, 1968 at their home in …

Charles (Chuck) Pearson, age 58, of Battle Creek, passed away Wednesday, May 24, 2017. He was born March 25, 1959 in Paw Paw to Dale Pearson and the late Sharon Pearson. Chuck married Margrete (Meg) Novin on Oct. 31, 1997 in Augusta, Mich. Chuck is survived by his wife Margrete (Meg) Irish-Pearson, of Battle Creek. His father, Dale (Geraldine) Pearson, …

Members of the St. Joseph County Commission On Aging are beginning the process of considering the former Three Rivers Inn as its potential new headquarters. COA officials at Wednesday’s Advisory Board meeting went into closed session to discuss financial components and other matters related to the proposal. No action was taken after board members reconvened 30 minutes later. Board member …

Centreville High School hired a new football coach this week. During Monday’s board of education meeting, the district tapped Tyler Langs to replace Aaron Hartong. Hartong oversaw the team the past five seasons, leading Centreville to an 8-and-36 record during that span. Centreville athletic director Perry Baranic said Langs comes from a family with deep roots in prep football, as …

Three Rivers Community Schools is looking for a new principal for one of its elementary buildings. Board of education members accepted the resignation of Allison Taylor, who has served as principal at Hoppin Elementary since September. She has accepted a job with Portage Public Schools. Board members said the Hoppin position has been posted and they hope to fill the …

The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging has received an $8,000 grant from Meals on Wheels America, made possible through a donation from the Kellogg “25-Year Employees Fund.” For the third consecutive year, Meals on Wheels America partnered with the Kellogg 25-Year Employees Fund to distribute nutrition and capacity-building grants to organizations within a geographic proximity to a Kellogg facility. …