Business

Sticker shock at the gas pump this week for Michigan motorists. Gas prices in the state jumped 22 cents since last week and are now averaging almost $4.10 a gallon. Triple A Michigan says the current statewide average is nearly 47 cents higher than at this same time last year. The average statewide price on Sunday was $4.06 per gallon …

A new state report says the number of traditional landlines in Michigan is continuing to fall and says cellphones now make up three-quarters of all phones. The report released Monday says there were 3.08 million landlines in Michigan in 2012, the most recent year available. That’s down 8 percent from 3.34 million in 2011. The landline total has fallen steadily …

A break-in at a Mottville Township gas station was investigated this week by the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department. Deputies responded shortly before 4 a.m. Thursday to the 11000 block of U.S. 12 in response to an alarm that was triggered as a result of the break-in. A department media release did not indicate whether anything was taken from the …

The Three Rivers farmer’s market will offer lower rates, take place at a new time and on a different day, and an effort has gone into marketing, advertising and promoting the market. Organizers of the weekly market made the announcement in a media release, which stated the changes have resulted in all 10 market spaces have being filled for the …

A number of temporary and seasonal jobs were approved Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Hired to work the sheriff’s department marine patrol for the season were: William Smith as sergeant for $17.30 an hour, and David McGee, Jaymes MacDonald, Roger Schrock and Robert Littke at a rate of $15.30 an hour. Jonathan Mejeur was hired as …

The Cook Nuclear Power Plant in southwest Michigan is back online. Indiana Michigan Power fired up the reactor on Unit 1 Sunday night after a refueling outage that started on March 27. The nearly 54-day outage was longer than normal to allow for planned maintenance work to the reactor vessel’s internal support structure. Before the refueling, the reactor ran for …

Two of three men suspected of stealing thousands of dollars of items over the past year from St. Joseph County properties were arrested following a months-long investigation. A joint investigation by personnel from the Michigan State Police and St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department culminated with the arrests of a 39-year-old Calhoun County man and a 33-year-old man from Kalamazoo County. …

Four people were arrested after they allegedly assaulted a man outside a Sturgis business over the weekend. Sturgis Police said a concerned citizen contacted police regarding a fight in progress around 10:20 p.m. Sunday in the McDonald’s parking lot. The four suspects fled as police arrived but were later apprehended behind Kmart. The victim, whose name and age was not …

The owners of Curly’s bar and restaurant in downtown Colon expect this week to finalize rebuilding plans. Dan and Kathy Earl have purchased the corner business on East State Street that previously housed a Prudential real estate office. The acquisition will add nearly 2,000 square feet when the new Curly’s opens – likely before the end of the year. The …

A Colon husband and wife escaped serious injuries after the vehicle they were in went off the roadway and landed near the St. Joseph River. Michigan State Police officials said a car driven by Jennifer Hargas, 31, was southbound on Farrand Road when she swerved to miss striking a deer near Blossom Road around 9:30 p.m. Thursday in Colon Township …