County Information

Thirteen stores in the Three Rivers downtown business district will be a part of a contest this weekend. Free homemade cookies will be available at each location and the public is asked to vote on its favorite. Each vote qualifies as an entry into a drawing for a $50 “Downtown Dollars” certificate. The event is Saturday and Sunday at Love …

October’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased half a percent from a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 7.8 percent October unemployment rate was up from September’s 7.3 percent figure. The agency said certain summer recreational businesses, including the golf industry, and the loss of seasonal …

Ann Bird has been appointed to head the Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education. Bird will serve as board president, filling the void left by Tom Robertson. Robertson resigned last month after accepting a job as juvenile court director, a position Robertson said could create a conflict of interest. With Bird sworn in as president, Ray Sterling was appointed vice …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a case of furnishing alcohol to minors. According to a department media release, as deputies were looking into the matter Wednesday, they also discovered the suspect had been forging payroll checks. The suspect was arrested for forgery and using a computer to commit a crime. Deputies also learned the suspect was on …

Investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics executed a search warrant Wednesday at a residence in the 1100 block of 3rd Street in Three Rivers. The investigation began with patrol officers attempting to serve an arrest warrant. In the process of executing the warrant, officers noticed marijuana growing on the property. Officers located and seized several marijuana plants, grow …

Sturgis Public Schools officials this week decided to keep its transportation services in-house rather than contract bus-driving services. During Monday’s board of education meeting, members acted on a recommendation of a committee to retain its own staff and employees. The measure was a relief to several bus drivers who attended the meeting, according to Superintendent Tom Langdon. Committee members studied …

A breaking-and-entering incident in Fabius Township is being investigated by state police. According to a department media release, the break-in occurred between 9:30 and 9:50 a.m. Tuesday at a residence in the 10000 block of Harder Road. Details regarding the method of entry and whether anything was stolen were not indicated in the release.

A 53-year-old Three Rivers man was not injured after a one-vehicle accident Monday morning in Three Rivers. Three Rivers Police said Kenneth Haines was driving west on Broadway Street when he lost control of his vehicle and struck a power pole on the north side of the roadway, just before South Hooker Avenue. Haines told police he apparently fell asleep.

The Community Action Agency of St. Joseph County has issued a media release providing advance notice about its 29th Walk for Warmth event. Nancy Percival, CAA board member, said the fundraiser will take place Feb. 22. It will take place simultaneously in six communities in St. Joseph, Barry, Branch and Calhoun counties. A fundraising goal of $50,000 has been set. …

Nearly 1,500 jobs and $53.8 million in new, private investment were announced in St. Joseph County in 2013. The figures were included in the Southwest Michigan First 2013 annual report presented by Ken Jones last week before the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. The 12-month period marks the first full calendar year the St. Joseph County Economic Development Corporation …