County Information

The July unemployment rate in St. Joseph County rose by eight-tenths of a percent compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 4.7 percent July unemployment rate was higher than June’s 3.9 percent. July’s unemployment rate, however, was 1.2 percent less than the same month a …

The Aug. 20 river cleanup of the Portage River was called a success by event organizers. The St. Joseph County Conservation District’s fifth of six cleanups scheduled this summer took place in Mendon Township from the Portage Lake public access to Parkville Road in Park Township. Volunteer and conservation district board member John Nelson said 18 people took part in …

The Three Rivers Department of Public Services will begin its biannual hydrant flushing this week. Three Rivers Water Department Superintendent Mark Glessner said the task will start at 11 o’clock tonight. He expects the flushing to continue through September. The flushing will take place Sundays thru Thursdays from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. Due to many variables, Glessner said, the …

Students in the Glen Oaks Community College’s machine-tool program will now be able to work and learn on a new piece of equipment, thanks to Vaupell Midwest Molding of Constantine. Vaupell has donated an electrical-discharge machine to be housed in the newly renovated Machine Shop at the college. The donation means Vaupell is able to assist in helping educate Glen …

Drug-related charges are being sought against a Mendon man following a traffic stop this week in Park Township. Sheriff’s deputies stopped the car he was driving Tuesday on Michigan Avenue near Buckhorn Road after it was observed speeding. The driver, a 22-year-old Mendon man whose name was not released pending arraignment, did not have a valid license. A passenger was …

A fundraiser to help a Constantine man injured in an alumni football game last year takes place this weekend. The inaugural Rollstrong Golf Outing, to benefit Robert Roll, begins at noon Saturday at Sauganash Golf Course in Three Rivers. Cost is $50 per golfer for the scramble and, furthermore, event organizers said hole sponsorships remain available. Proceeds from the event …

The St. Joseph County United Way is co-sponsoring a “Back to School” event taking place Friday at the Sturgis Walmart store. United Way executive director Kelly Hostetler said the event takes place 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is being organized to help children who need supplies and backpack assistance for school. Bins have been set up inside the store …

The board of directors of Covered Bridge Healthcare last week voted to approve a Patient Centered Medical Home grant from the Health Resource and Services Administration. The $35,000 grant allows the health center to provide all-access care to the community, regardless of whether patients are insured, uninsured or under insured. The agency’s focus is the patients’ health: physical, behavioral, dental, …

State police investigators are looking into separate incidents of theft of money from vending machines at a Coldwater-area welcome center. The incidents occurred Aug. 16 and again Aug. 22 at the Michigan Welcome Center along northbound I-69. Investigators said the machines were pried open and money was taken in both cases.

State Rep. Aaron Miller is making four public appearances Thursday, including a location in St. Joseph County. Miller will be available to meet with constituents at Burr Oak Township Hall, 208 W. Front St., from 3 to 4:30 p.m. The second-year legislator will be at other locations in Cass County earlier in the day. He will be at the Baker’s …