County Information

February’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by one-tenth 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 6.8 percent February unemployment rate was more than January’s 6.9 percent. February’s unemployment rate was 1.3 percent less than the same month one year earlier, …

A 15-year-old student has been charged with arson following an incident last week at Sturgis High School. According to Sturgis police, a paper-towel dispenser was intentionally set on fire in a bathroom shortly before 1:30 p.m. Friday. Fire crews arrived to find a moderate amount of smoke but no fire. With the aid of school-security video, district officials and law-enforcement …

Three Rivers Health now has two certified application counselors on site to assist residents in applying for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Its counselors can help people understand, apply online and enroll for health coverage through the Marketplace. They are available to answer questions and be a resource for the community. CEO William Russell said the Certified Application Counselors …

The Three Rivers Department of Public Services has announced it is ending its suggested water-trickle notice. Most of the water services that were frozen over the winter months have now thawed, and frost is out of the ground in most areas, DPS officials said. The suggested measure was noted a month ago.

Results of a needs-assessment questionnaire, distributed jointly by Sturgis Hospital and Three Rivers Health, have been released. The fifth of five fields focuses on maternal and infant health. According to the St. Joseph County 2012 Community Health Needs Assessment, issues associated with teen pregnancies, teen births and poor birth outcomes ranked in the top five health concerns. More than half …

The Three Rivers Police Department would like to thank the public for its help in response to a voluntary missing person. Eighteen-year-old Zachary Allen Kelley has been located in Georgia, safe with a family member. According to a Three Rivers Police media report, Kelley was last seen by his parents Tuesday. He had spent the night at a family member’s …

Sturgis firefighters were called to a home in the 300 block of South Fourth Street just after 7 p.m. Wednesday for a kitchen fire. Fire personnel arrived to find the homeowner with a garden hose spraying water through the back door of the home. Fire crews entered the structure and extinguished the fire. Officials said the house sustained considerable smoke …

Jennifer Miller, administrator of the St. Joseph County Conservation District, was honored as the Conservation Partner of the Year by the Branch County Conservation District. The Branch County Conservation District gives the annual award to recognize a deserving person who goes above and beyond the call of duty for the cause of conservation. The award was presented to Miller last …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners has set a time and date for a work session to meet with the county road commission. The meeting, set for 3 p.m. April 30 at the county courthouse, will center on the road commission’s millage renewal request this year and an update on road conditions in general. County administrator Pat Yoder said he …

Colon Community Schools officials have whittled their list of top administrative candidates from three to two. Victor Bungi and Mike Corey made the final cut following a day-long session of meetings Tuesday with committees and the district’s board of education. Candidate Drew Bordner was eliminated Tuesday. Bungi, of Gladstone, is curriculum and instruction supervisor for the Delta/Schoolcraft Intermediate School District …