Business

A 53-year-old Constantine man was arrested last week after he was found in possession of a stolen vehicle in Constantine Township. The man was arrested around 1:45 a.m. Friday near the intersection of Riverside Drive and Dickinson Road, where he was caught following a brief foot chase. The man had not only allegedly stolen the vehicle earlier in the night, …

Officials from the Constantine Area Foundation have announced they are accepting grant proposals from qualifying entities for the foundation’s fall 2013 grant period. Eligible recipients include 501(C)(3) organizations, public schools and governmental entities. The foundation encourages potential recipients to focus on improving working and living conditions in the village; youth and recreation opportunities; public, educational, charitable or charitable purposes; and …

Michigan’s unemployment rate increased in August for the third consecutive month. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget says the state’s jobless rate last month edged upward by two-tenths of a percentage point to nine percent. Total employment declined by 7,000 over the month, while the number of unemployed rose by 7,000. There was little change in the state’s …

Attendance for Saturday’s second Colon Historic Home and Business Tour was down compared to the inaugural event in 2011. Still, co-organizer Sherry Engle said the 10-stop, self-guided tour managed to raise funds to help the Colon-based Community Historical Museum cover costs related to repairs around the building’s steeple. The tour featured four houses, four businesses, a church and the historical …

The Three Rivers City Commission last week recommended paving-related expenses for two micro-surfacing projects. Nearly $32,000 was approved for work to be performed on South Douglas Avenue, from West Michigan Avenue to Millard Street, and Sixth Avenue from Wood to Jefferson streets. The $14,900 Douglas Avenue job was a budgeted project; funds from the city’s 2014 fiscal year will be …

A promotional campaign for the locally made movie “The Current – Three Rivers,” began this week. Radio and newspaper spots in support of the full-length feature film started Monday, as the 2-hour, 24-minute film is set to premiere Oct. 18 at the Three Rivers 6 movie complex. Financed by local businessman Tom Meyer and directed by longtime Three Rivers resident …

The Michigan Department of Transportation Southwest Region is holding informational open houses at each of its three Transportation Service Centers this week. MDOT’s Nick Schirripa said TSC staff will be present at each location to discuss project selection, transportation funding, construction projects and other issues. Whether it’s highway and bridge conditions, project types, traffic signals and speed limits, snow removal …

Officials from the ALDI grocery store chain say ground was broken this last week for the company’s Three Rivers store. Earth-moving equipment was brought to the area of Broadway Road in front of Home Depot, where the 16,400-square-foot store will be constructed. The store, which is one of more than 1,200 in 32 states, is expected to open in early …

An update on the formation of historic district guidelines, applicable to downtown Three Rivers businesses, was provided this week to the Three Rivers City Commission. The report was presented by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma, chairman of the city’s Historic District Commission. He provided Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners detailed examples of conformity guidelines to which downtown building owners will be subject …

The Solid Waste Management Planning Committee of St. Joseph County wishes to advise that its twice-a-year collection of hazardous waste, computers, televisions, tires, latex paint and paperboard will take place Oct. 5 at the St. Joseph County fairgrounds. Word about the collection is being made now so people who have items to drop off can start to gather and accumulate …