Business

The more than 1.2 million Michigan residents who will travel this upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend will find the average gas price rose seven cents a gallon this week. Triple A Michigan says the current statewide average is just under $3.62 per gallon, but that’s 31 cents less than this same time last year. Among the cities it surveys, the …

A two-vehicle crash over the weekend in Colon Township led to emergency care rendered to a Colon woman. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, Amanda Merkle, 27, was airlifted to Bronson Methodist Hospital following the incident Saturday at Wattles and Stowell roads. Merkle was driving east on Wattles Road when she allegedly turned left in front of a …

The July unemployment rate in St. Joseph County rose by more than a full percent compared to the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 9.8 percent July unemployment rate was more than June’s 8.4 percent. Still, the July 2013 unemployment rate was one-tenths of a percent less …

A 68-year-old Three Rivers man sought medical attention after he was involved in a three-vehicle crash last week. According to Three Rivers Police, Richard Crandall and 56-year-old Debra Edwards, of Marcellus, were stopped on southbound Main Street at Hoffman Road Thursday morning, when a southbound SUV driven by 49-year-old David Hembree rear-ended Edwards’ vehicle, which crashed into the back of …

A road project in the village of Centreville is progressing toward its completion date of Saturday next week. Nick Schirripa, spokesman for the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Southwest Region, said crews over the past six weeks have been working on East Main Street and creating what will eventually be a three-lane roadway through a majority of the village. The road …

Members of the Animal Rescue Fund of St. Joseph County are planning for the agency’s inaugural beer-tasting event, “Ales for Tails.” The program will take place 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Grille Tavern, located at Island Hills Golf Club, near Centreville. Tickets for the fundraiser are $30 each and may be purchased at Island Hills or Beam …

A pair of St. Joseph County residents suggested Commissioner Don Eaton resign from the five-member county board. Fabius Township’s Rebecca Shank and Florence Township’s Tim Carls addressed the county board of commissioners Tuesday, and both indicated Eaton should consider relinquishing his post as Second District commissioner. Eaton, 52, is being investigated for a potential charge of possession of a firearm …

Michigan tied for having the fourth highest unemployment rate in the nation in July, according to figures from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. Both Michigan and Georgia had a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 8.8 percent last month. Nevada topped the rankings with a 9.5 percent unemployment rate, followed by Illinois at 9.2 percent. While Rhode Island and North …

An Auburn Hills man is facing time in prison after pleading guilty for his role in a retail fraud scheme that bilked Home Depot stores in 13 states out of more that $300,000. Mlive.com reports 47-year-old Christopher Smith pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud last week in Flint U.S. District Court. He’s accused in a scheme that stretched …

A potential misdemeanor charge against St. Joseph County Commissioner Don Eaton will be decided by Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz. The neighboring county was chosen Friday by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office to review the case. Eaton is an elected official and, following protocol, the matter must be delegated outside the county he represents. The case against Eaton stems from …