Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) will begin raising the water level upstream of the Elkhart Hydroelectric Generating Station on Monday, March 14. The reservoir was lowered two feet last December to preclude ice buildup at the County Road 17 Bridge during the winter. The reservoir will be raised slowly over a three- to four-day period. Residents who live along the St. Joseph …

The state says Michigan’s monthly unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest point in nearly 15 years. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget said Wednesday the seasonally adjusted jobless rate for January was 4.9 percent. That’s down two-tenths of a percentage point from December and 1.1 percentage points below the January 2015 rate. The state’s January unemployment rate …

Hi. I’m hanging out here at Animal Control. I kinda lost my way. They just call me “Stray”. I am a male, Shar Pei mix about one year old. I love treats and will sit perfectly if you offer me one.. I am very friendly, attentive, and did I tell you I love treats. Do you like shorthaired blond males? …

Irene Helen Mangold, age 94, of Three Rivers, died Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation in Centreville. Irene was born in Lincoln Park, MI on Jan. 20, 1922 the daughter of Edmond and Edna (Stubert) Fountain. She was married to Hurman W. Mangold on Nov. 27, 1943 in Bryan, Ohio. Hurman passed away on Nov. 29, 1993. …

Robert Miller, age 93, of Burr Oak, passed away late Monday evening, March 7, 2016, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis. He was born Dec. 15, 1922, in Sturgis, a son of the late Elmer and Elsie (Bush) Miller. Bob resided in the Burr Oak and Sturgis area his entire life. On Sept. 7, 1946, he married Roberta A. “Bobbie” …

Joan Eldridge, age 85, of Burr Oak, passed away Saturday afternoon, March 5, 2016, at Sturgis Hospital in Sturgis. She was born Feb. 20, 1931, in Franklin, Ky., a daughter of the late Joseph and Mamie (Biggs) Bunch. Joan had resided in Burr Oak since 1963, coming from Orland, Ind. Her early life was lived in Kentucky. For several years, …

Officials from Three Rivers Community Schools will have plenty to discuss at their next meeting, as the district’s second failed millage request in 10 months went down Tuesday by a 3-to-2 margin. With all 24 precincts reporting, unofficial results show the 1.95-mill increase request was rejected, 2,240 to 1,501. The shortfall came despite a solid public-relations campaign to promote details …

Lockport Township will not adopt charter status, as its registered voters turned down the proposal Tuesday. Results weren’t available until past midnight, and by the time all ballots were counted, the measure fell by a margin of about two-thirds opposed to one-third in favor. Final votes were 696 people against the measure and 398 supporting the concept, according to unofficial …

St. Joseph County Friend of the Court Bill Thistlethwaite last week discussed a new program being funded and encouraged by the federal and state governments to address the low-income population. Thistlethwaite said a new service is being offered to the lower-income group through a pilot program. The program was put into place in 2015 to identify the people who fit …

The St. Joseph County Animal Shelter has received a $10,000 grant from a state funding source. The amount is the most given to 23 recipients in 2016 through the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Animal Industry Division. The agency annually distributes thousands of donated dollars to animal shelters in Michigan through Animal Welfare Fund grants. This year, the …