Business

Unemployment in St. Joseph County rose two-tenths of a percent in May compared to April. Figures from the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives show the county’s May unemployment figure was 5.7 percent, up from 5.5 percent in April. The 5.7 percent rate was still lower than the county’s 7.5 percent unemployment compared to the same month in …

Police are continuing their investigation into an armed-robbery incident Wednesday in Three Rivers. According to police, an employee of Broadway Market had closed the store for the night. As the victim was walking toward his vehicle just before midnight, three masked men approached him. They were displaying guns and demanded his wallet, investigators said. They fled the scene on foot …

It’s a job killer and it needs to change. That’s the message from multiple Michigan retailers who say they’re frustrated with losing sales to big online stores. They’re taking that message to Washington D.C., asking lawmakers to force online retailers to charge sales tax. Michigan Retailers Association spokesman Tom Scott says if retailers inside the state of Michigan are required …

Portage police arrested a 35-year-old Three Rivers man last week after he was suspected of committing an armed robbery in Kalamazoo. The robbery occurred around 10:25 a.m. Friday at the Rite Aid drug store on East Cork Street. A witness was able to get a good look at the suspect and his vehicle, which proved to be helpful, as the …

A Chicago man was arrested last week after he was found to be using a fraudulent credit card to make purchases at the Admiral gas station in Three Rivers. According to Three Rivers police, the 45-year-old man was arrested Wednesday following an investigation lasting several days. The case started after a citizen reported fraudulent charges on their credit card, including …

Large crowds gathered over the weekend for the opening of a new business in downtown Constantine. The Constantine Brewing Company staged a soft opening Friday, with a public opening Saturday. Owner Matt Ryan said the 2,000-square-foot business was fully refurbished over the course of the past 13 months. Ryan said he brews his own product onsite and, according to terms …

Governor Rick Snyder has signed into law legislation that will increase Michigan’s minimum wage to $9.25 per hour by 2018. Under the compromise bill, which received bipartisan support in both chambers of the state Legislature yesterday (Tue), the minimum wage will gradually increase from $7.40 to $9.25 per hour by 2018. Meanwhile, the rate for tipped employees will be 38 …

Robert and Laurie Rastovski will get a new trial for their claim against North Pointe Insurance Company after their business, Welch’s Steak and Ribs in Sturgis, was leveled in a 2009 arson. The insurance company refused to pay on the policy after it claimed Robert Rastovski had hired an arsonist to burn the business on Fawn River Road. During the …

Unemployment in St. Joseph County was 1 percent lower in April compared to March. Figures from the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives show the county’s April unemployment figure was 5.5 percent, down from 6.5 percent in March. The 5.5 percent rate was also lower than the county’s 6.9 percent unemployment compared to the same month in 2013. …

The new State of Michigan map is out, featuring Belle Isle on the Detroit River as a state park for the very first time. The Michigan Department of Transportation has posted the 2014 state transportation map online while paper versions of the map will be available free of charge at all Michigan Welcome Centers and M-DOT offices. In addition to …