County Information

The April unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by seven-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 3.9 percent April unemployment rate was less than March’s 4.6 percent. April’s unemployment rate was 2.7 percent less than the same month in 2014, …

Organizers of the Three Rivers Farmers Market said the 2015 season debut last week was a success. The market’s season kicked off Thursday and approximately 200 people took advantage of a sunny day to attend the event. The market, which was moved from Tuesdays to Thursdays, will run 1 to 6 p.m. through Sept. 3 and is located in Scidmore …

Three public hearings will be staged this evening before members of the Three Rivers City Commission. The first is a show-cause hearing regarding the parcel of land at 621 S. U.S. 131, the second centers on the city’s proposed 2015-16 budget and general property tax act, and the final is a user fee ordinance update. In other business before Mayor …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District is appealing to the public in hopes of generating funds toward a variety of programs it supports. The agency’s second annual golf outing takes place Friday at Klinger Lake Country Club. Opportunities exist for hole sponsorship and four-person teams of participants. Board member John Nelson said the second annual fundraiser has openings for hole …

Members of the Colon Community Schools Board of Education this month will debate the merits of a plan being pitched as a prospective money-maker for the district. The concept of owning a self-serve ice and water dispenser was discussed during the board’s May meeting. The device would be the first of its kind in Michigan and only the second in …

An additional use for a proposed, senior center has prompted Sturgis city commission to seek new maintenance assurances from St. Joseph County. County officials recently added a 1,100-square-foot adult day care space to the initial plan for the $2.6 million development, now called Community Enrichment Center. Plans show it added to the southwest corner of the proposed building that will …

Old National Bank closed its Constantine branch May 22, and donated the Wallace Norman Harvey and Jane Harvey Memorial Coin Collection to the village. It consists of coins in value of $1, $2.50, $5, $10 and $20, an 1862 dollar bill, Continental Army currency and a $300 bank note. ONB site manager Becky Foster presented the collection to village president …

Cash and jewelry were among the items taken from a residence during a breaking-and-entering incident that occurred last week in White Pigeon Township. Troopers from Michigan State Police were called to the 14000 block of U.S. 12, where a residence was burglarized between 5 a.m. May 21 and 9:30 p.m. May 22. Access was gained through a front door that …

The Centreville Public Schools Board of Education has agreed to offer Rob Kuhlman a one-year contract extension as superintendent. The decision was made Tuesday, when board members extended Kuhlman a salary of $80,200. With deferred compensation and cash in lieu of insurance, the district will pay $100,000 to retain Kuhlman for a sixth year in the 2015-16 academic year. Kuhlman’s …

State troopers found a bicycle not far from the Three Rivers Walmart in Fabius Township. The bicycle is a 20-inch BMX-style in decent condition. It was found around 6:30 p.m. May 20 in a field southwest of U.S. 131 and Coon Hollow Road.