June’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was one-tenth of a percent lower than the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s 3.8 percent June unemployment rate marked a decrease from May’s 3.9 percent. St. Joseph County was below the state unemployment average, which was 4 percent in June. …

Seven people were arrested in downtown Three Rivers on drug-related charges following an investigation by local and county drug officers last week. According to a sheriff’s department media release, investigators with the Three Rivers Police Department and the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit secured a warrant and at 2 a.m. Friday, entered a residence at 13 N. Main St. …

An outbreak of whooping cough has struck up to 30 people in St. Joseph County, largely in the Amish community. Val Newton, prevention services director for the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, announced details of the outbreak last week. Because of recent gatherings for weddings and church meetings among the Amish community, Newton said she is concerned the cold-like disease could …

Coral Ann Williams, age 66, of Sturgis passed away on Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Heartland Healthcare Center. She was born in Sturgis, MI on February 5, 1951 the daughter of John W. and Pauline (Graham) Harter. Coral leaves to cherish her loving memory, children, John Ivins of Three Rivers and Kimberly (Adam) Huskey of Centreville; siblings, John (Barb) Harter …

Freight trains that once irritated South Bend residents with warning horns are disturbing their peace once again after years of relative silence. Locomotives began sounding their horns last weekend along a stretch of the Grand Trunk Western Railroad on the northern Indiana city’s east side. Joseph Araman tells the South Bend Tribune that passing locomotives are now beeping their horns …

A breaking-and-entering incident at a Constantine Township residence was investigated this week. State police said troopers were called around 10 p.m. Wednesday to the 11000 block of North River Road. The victim told authorities the break-in occurred between 1 p.m. Saturday and 8 p.m. Wednesday. Items taken include a plastic tote and a clam ice shanty. Authorities have not stated …

Members of the White Pigeon Collaborative Team, a group of community volunteers looking to improve the village, is pursuing a bingo night as a fundraiser toward development of a sidewalk. The proposed sidewalk would extend from the village limit to an area near U.S. 131. During the group’s monthly meeting last week, members agreed such an event would require at …

Century Bank and Trust employees recently presented a check for more than $1,900 to Victim Services of St. Joseph County. The funds were raised during the second quarter of the year by employees who paid to wear jeans on Fridays. The effort was undertaken by Century Bank and Trust employees in Three Rivers, Nottawa and Sturgis. The Victim Service Unit …

LaDoris Monica Hunt, age 83, of Three Rivers, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 25, 2017. She was born the third child of Vincent Warren Gilmore and Gertie (Pinkston) Gilmore in Chicago, where she attended elementary school. She later she moved to Mendon, with her grandmother and graduated from Mendon High School, where she was the only black student at that the time and was also a member of the National Honor Society. She …

A plea agreement between a former Sturgis teacher and the St. Joseph County prosecutor’s office was withdrawn Tuesday in St. Joseph County District Court. Keith Andrew Lang was set to enter a no contest/guilty plea to one count of attempted fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. However, District Court Judge Jeff Middleton said he couldn’t agree to portions of the deal. As …