Business

Now that Christmas has passed, its time for those who didn’t exactly get what they wanted for the holiday to hit the return lines. Traditionally the days following Christmas are a busy time for retailers as consumers flood stores to return or exchange unwanted gifts. Tom Scott, of the Michigan Retailers Association, is offering a few tips to make your …

Establishment of a revolving-loan fund and the hiring of a new administrator were two major accomplishments by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this year, its chairman said. John Dobberteen, a Sturgis resident completing his 15th year as a commissioner, said 2013 was a step forward for St. Joseph County government thanks to the creation of the fund and …

Two Three Rivers residents, ages 37 and 60, were taken to the St. Joseph County Jail after they were charged with retail theft following an incident Tuesday at Wal-Mart in Three Rivers. A department media release said the women were charged with third-degree offenses.

Sentencing for a LaGrange County man charged with the 2009 arson of Welch’s Steak and Ribs, has been delayed until next week. Nathan Lumbard, 31, was to be sentenced Thursday. After pleading no contest to the charge in October, Lumbard was expected to be sentenced to three years in prison. However, Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman said he decided to …

Thirteen stores in the Three Rivers downtown business district will be a part of a contest this weekend. Free homemade cookies will be available at each location and the public is asked to vote on its favorite. Each vote qualifies as an entry into a drawing for a $50 “Downtown Dollars” certificate. The event is Saturday and Sunday at Love …

October’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased half a percent from a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 7.8 percent October unemployment rate was up from September’s 7.3 percent figure. The agency said certain summer recreational businesses, including the golf industry, and the loss of seasonal …

Nearly 1,500 jobs and $53.8 million in new, private investment were announced in St. Joseph County in 2013. The figures were included in the Southwest Michigan First 2013 annual report presented by Ken Jones last week before the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. The 12-month period marks the first full calendar year the St. Joseph County Economic Development Corporation …

St. Joseph County’s 2014 fiscal-year budget was approved by the five-member St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Tuesday. More than $16.7 million was set aside for county operations in 2014, an increase of more than $1.6 million from the amended 2013 fiscal year budget of $15.1 million. Joni Smith, St. Joseph County’s director of finance, said in addition, the county …

A 36-year-old Sturgis man with four outstanding warrants was arrested Monday following a brief vehicle pursuit in Sturgis. State police said an attempt was made to stop the man at Fawn River and South Nottawa roads in Sturgis Township for an equipment violation. The man failed to stop and drove into the Sturgis city limits, where he exited his vehicle …

The Christmas season officially kicked off Friday in Three Rivers, as a crowd gathered for the annual tree-lighting ceremony. Staged in the downtown mural mall, the ceremony included music from the Three Rivers High School Aristocrats. It also marked the first of a three-day celebration in downtown Three Rivers, where the Riviera Theatre hosted events Saturday and Sunday. Cookie decorating …