Business

Indiana’s motorcycle dealers will be allowed to buy and sell their bikes on Sundays under a change in state law that legislators have approved.  The Indiana House voted 68-31 on Monday in favor of the bill removing the current ban on Sunday motorcycle sales.  Bill sponsor Rep. Ed Soliday of Valparaiso says all the states surrounding Indiana already allow Sunday …

A first-time participant in the annual Constantine Chili Throwdown took top honors during the third annual event Saturday. The Village Inn, which opened for business in July, was the top vote-getter from nearly 50 voters who weighed in on choosing the event’s best chili. For $5 per person, the public was invited to sample each of four chili offerings and …

The Michigan Public Service Commission last week issued an order approving a settlement agreement, which authorizes Indiana Michigan Power to increase electric rates by more than $14.6 million annually, effective with the next full cycle of billings. The amount represents an increase of nearly 5.9 percent over the rates set in I&M’s last rate case. According to the most recent …

The Three Rivers Police Department announced a 26-year-old man was charged with retail theft following an incident at 11 p.m. Tuesday. The man, a Three Rivers resident whose name was not released, allegedly tried to steal beer from a store in the 100 block of North Main Street. A clerk said the man fled north through an alley. The department’s …

On the first day of  February, UniQ Jewelry, Gems and Gifts of  Distinction, announced what is becoming an annual Valentine’s Day chance  to win something luxurious for anyone willing to make the effort to  enter.  The grand prize this year was a 14 carat heart shaped deep  purple Amethyst valued at over $1,000.00!  14 carats on the 14th!  There was …

A Three Rivers-based machine shop and its request for a 50-percent industrial facilities tax exemption will be at the center of a Feb. 21 public hearing. The 6 p.m. hearing for R & H Machine Products was set Tuesday by Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry and members of the city commission. If granted, the 12-year request would be applied to …

State Rep. Matt Lori has issued a statement on Gov. Rick Snyder’s budget message. The Constantine-area legislator said he is encouraged that Michigan is headed in the right direction, thanks in part to a series of difficult choices elected officials have made in the past year. Lori said legislators were fiscally responsible when finances were down, and they will continue …

The St. Joseph County Transportation Authority is starting a new, weekly route with service to and from the Battle Creek VA Medical Center at Fort Custer. CTA executive director Steve Yorks said the inaugural trip takes place today and will continue every Wednesday. The round-trip cost is $20 and the Three Rivers-based agency needs 48 hours advance notice to coordinate …

For the first time since the middle of 2011, St. Joseph County’s monthly unemployment rate saw an increase from the previous month. The county’s December unemployment rate was 9.2 percent, a nine-tenths of a percent increase from November’s 8.3 percent. Data released by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget Analysis shows the 9.2 percent figure was still a …

The Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority has announced it will stage a work session in mid February. The event takes place 3 to 5 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Three Rivers Area Chamber. According to an announcement about the meeting, its purpose is to discuss goals and long-term goals during its 2013 fiscal year.