News

Michigan tied for having the fourth highest unemployment rate in the nation in July, according to figures from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. Both Michigan and Georgia had a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 8.8 percent last month. Nevada topped the rankings with a 9.5 percent unemployment rate, followed by Illinois at 9.2 percent. While Rhode Island and North …

An Auburn Hills man is facing time in prison after pleading guilty for his role in a retail fraud scheme that bilked Home Depot stores in 13 states out of more that $300,000. Mlive.com reports 47-year-old Christopher Smith pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud last week in Flint U.S. District Court. He’s accused in a scheme that stretched …

A potential misdemeanor charge against St. Joseph County Commissioner Don Eaton will be decided by Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz. The neighboring county was chosen Friday by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office to review the case. Eaton is an elected official and, following protocol, the matter must be delegated outside the county he represents. The case against Eaton stems from …

Three area men face drug-related charges after a home in the 64000 block of Burr Oak Road was raided by police Wednesday in Burr Oak Township. Investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit located methamphetamine and evidence of the manufacturing of meth, according to a sheriff’s department media release. Police are pursuing charges of possession of meth, possession …

Thanks to the participation of about 125 people, Saturday’s 5K walk/run and 1-mile Fun Run helped raise approximately $7,200 for the 1 Lt. Jonathan W. Edds Memorial Fund. In the four-year history of the walk and run – sponsored by the White Pigeon Parks and Recreation Department – more than $34,000 has been raised for the fund created in honor …

The 26th Mendon Riverfest is in the books and organizers of the three-day community festival are calling it a success. The event-ending fireworks show Saturday night attracted several hundred people to Reed Riverside Park. Earlier in the day, a canoe race, kayak relay, canoe swamp, toy-boat and rubber-duck races and pontoon rides all took place on the St. Joseph River. …

More than a third of young adults who don’t drive say they are too busy to get a driver’s license-and more than a fifth have no intention of ever learning to drive. Researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute surveyed 618 adults under 40 who do not have a driver’s license to find out why. They found that …

State Senate Republican Rick Jones is teaming up with State Police in an effort to increase the speed limit on Michigan’s freeways to 75 miles per hour or more based on scientific evidence. Gongwer News service reports Jones, who is sponsoring legislation to up the speed limit, says “There’s a law in Michigan that roads should be set, legally, by …

Charges of violating a permit related to a concealed pistol license could be imposed on a member of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Second District Commissioner Don Eaton could be charged with a misdemeanor related to an incident that originated July 29 at the Sturgis Applebee’s restaurant. Eaton, 53, said he retrieved from his vehicle a pistol as …

A Sturgis woman has died as the result of a motorcycle accident Wednesday night in Constantine Township. Carrie Gay, 30, died Thursday at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, where she was airlifted following the accident at Dickinson and Burke roads. She was a passenger on a motorcycle driven by 32-year-old Charles Barfell, of Sturgis. He remains in serious condition at …