Business

Kraft foods is recalling about 735,000 cases of its cheese. The company recalled its Kraft and Polly-O string cheese because they may spoil before their Best When Used By code dates – which leads to discoloration. The products were dated from October 25th, 2013, to February 11, 2014. The cheese was shipped to Kraft customers across the United States. Kraft …

A former LaGrange County man suspected of setting fire to Welch’s Steak and Ribs in 2009 entered a plea of no contest during his appearance in St. Joseph County Circuit Court Wednesday. Nathan Lumbard, 31, entered the plea in response to the charge of arson in exchange for a plea bargain reached with the county prosecutor’s office. For the charge …

A full-size pickup truck was reported stolen this week from a residence in White Pigeon Township. State police investigators said a 2008 Toyota Tundra was taken between 8 p.m. Sunday and 8 a.m. Monday from a residence in the 1500 block of Lake Road. The vehicle was parked inside a pole barn and features an extended cab, four doors and …

Constantine village and township plan to reimburse more than $200,000 owed to a former manufacturing plant following a reassessment of its property taxes. Village officials this week were told Rexam Closure Systems appealed its 2011 tax assessment. The assessment was $11.2 million but reduced to $4.5 million following its appeal. As a result, the village and township owe a total …

State Rep. Matt Lori on Tuesday voted for legislation that offers sales-tax relief for Michigan residents who buy new and used vehicles and watercraft. The House and Senate approved bills that eliminate buyers having to pay sales tax on the full price of a car, watercraft or recreational vehicle purchase without subtracting the value of trade-ins. Michigan is one of …

Several vehicles in White Pigeon Township were broken into during the early morning hours Oct. 9. State police investigators said the vehicles were parked in the 68000 block of Klinger Lake Road. Access was gained into unlocked vehicles, and a variety of valuables were subsequently taken. A homeowner reported seeing a black car in the area during the time of …

More than 40 people were on hand Friday to witness the dedication and ceremonial opening of the U.S. 131 Constantine bypass. Several local residents, village, township, county and state officials joined in the ceremony at the south end of the new bridge spanning the St. Joseph River. Those in attendance witnessed a ceremony by the Constantine Free and Accepted Masons …

A Centreville hair salon raised more than $500 for breast cancer research during a special program Friday morning at Sturgis Middle School. Teresa Shingledecker, owner of X-treme Hair Lengths, said a seven-member team from her salon added pink coloring to the hair of 102 students who paid $5 each to support the cause. The tradition started in 2011as a show …

A 17-year-old Sturgis-area resident was airlifted to an Indiana hospital after the vehicle he was driving was struck by an SUV Wednesday in Nottawa Township. State police said the Sturgis teen was driving north on Nottawa Road around 4:30 p.m. an eastbound vehicle driven by a 26-year-old Three Rivers man failed to stop at the intersection of Findley Road. The …

Immaculate Conception School and nearby Three Rivers Health were briefly in lock-down mode Tuesday morning in response to a citizen’s claim of gunshots heard in the vicinity. Law-enforcement officials responded around 7:50 a.m. to an area in the 1100 block of Hill Street after a citizen reported hearing gunfire. A search of the perimeter was conducted but officials later concluded …