The October unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased by four-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 3.9 percent October unemployment rate was more than September’s 3.5 percent. October’s unemployment rate was six-tenths of a percent higher than the same month …

The St. Joseph County United Way is staging another “Celebrity Waiter Night” fundraiser. The latest benefit takes place this evening at Frankie’s in Three Rivers. Between 5:30 and 8:30, 10 notable residents will serve as wait staff and all tips provided during the three-hour window will go to the Centreville-based agency. The celebrities are: Matt Lori, Tom and Keri Bringman, …

A celebrity in the world of literature shared stories of happiness, comedy and sadness during an appearance Saturday at White Pigeon Township Library. More than 70 people were on hand to meet Elizabeth Berg, whose most-recent book, “Make Someone Happy,” was the main focus of her presentation. Berg started the event by reading an excerpt from her highly regarded, “The …

Jeff Jackson, age 50, of Colon, passed away unexpectedly at his home, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. Jeff was born Dec. 30, 1965, in Elgin, Ill., a son to the late Clyde and Mildred (Fredericks) Jackson. He had lived most all of his life in the Colon area, where he was a self employed carpenter. On July 27, 1993, he married …

Geralyn A. (Gerri) Finch-Smith, 66, of Kalamazoo, died Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, at The Laurels of Galesburg, following a brief illness. She was born May 31, 1950, in Detroit, a daughter of Paul B. and Mary E. (Walsh) Mecklenborg. She was a resident of Kalamazoo the past seven years, coming from South Haven, and lived many years in White Pigeon. …

St. Joseph County Clerk Lindsay Oswald said she and her staff are preparing for a recount of presidential ballots. The procedure is being done at the request of Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein. Oswald this week said she is putting teams together for the task in order to get state election officials on their way to the next county …

Glen Oaks Community College Board of Trustees voted this week to approve a $5.3 million bid to build a student residence hall on the Glen Oaks campus. The bid, submitted by Frederick Construction of Vicksburg, includes all desired alternative options, according to school president David Devier. The three-story, student-housing unit is to include two- and four-suite units that share kitchen …

Three teenagers, including a 15-year-old boy from Constantine, were arrested after being involved in multiple home invasions this week. State police were alerted shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday that a White Pigeon Township homeowner in the 68000 block of Lutz Road reported a home invasion and his residence was ransacked. A trooper investigating the incident learned of a possible suspect …

Susan Jean “Susie” Bingaman, age 73, of Vicksburg, died Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016 at Riverview Manor in Three Rivers following a brief illness. She was born in Grand Rapids, MI on Sep. 25, 1943 the daughter of Sterling M. and Alice L. (Kobb) King. After graduating from Mendon High School with the class of 1961 she worked at the Haas …

Frank L. Kime, age 84, of Colon, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, at his home, after several months of failing health. Frank was born May 24, 1932, in Sturgis, a son of the late Lester and Hattie (Fisher) Kime. Frank grew up in Sturgis, graduating from Sturgis High School in 1950, and later that year he moved to Colon. …