News

The March unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by half 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 7.3 percent March unemployment rate was less than February’s 7.8 percent. Furthermore, the March unemployment rate was 1.9 percent less than the same month one …

A Sturgis Police officer suffered a leg injury after he was involved in arresting a subject at 4 p.m. Thursday. According to the Sturgis Police Department, the Cass County Parole and Probation Department asked Sturgis officers to check on a wanted subject likely at a residence in the 1500 block of Progress Street. An officer made contact with the 29-year-old …

Glen Oaks Community College President Gary Wheeler announced Steve Ryno as the recipient of the Shaheen Teaching Excellence Award, which recognizes a faculty member for innovation and quality instruction. A professor of communications, Ryno, 35, is the 29th recipient of the award. Ryno was named the winner of the award during the school’s 45th graduation ceremony, staged Friday in its …

Sunday’s 50th Mendon Dust-Off old-car show was declared a success by event organizers. With perfect weather on their side, organizers said more than 870 participants took part in the event’s golden anniversary, staged on the grounds of Mendon High School. Dan Mourey, president of Dust-Off co-sponsor Three Rivers Classic and Antique Restorers Club, said twice as many food vendors and …

The Cass County Drug Enforcement Team executed a search warrant Wednesday in the 400 block of Walnut Street in the city of Dowagiac. During a search of the residence, detectives located a marijuana-growing operation, along with individually packaged marijuana intended for sale. Detectives also located a loaded, sawed-off shotgun and numerous other items used for the sale of illegal narcotics. …

A home in the 66000 block of Klinger Lake Road in Florence Township was heavily damaged by fire Wednesday afternoon. Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff ’s Department arrived to find the kitchen area on fire. Firefighters were hampered when the blaze spread from the kitchen to an adjacent attic. The fire has been ruled accidental, officials said.

A Constantine man died as a result of a motorcycle crash Monday afternoon shortly after 4pm on South Washington Street on the south side of Constantine. The victim was identified as 61-year-old Daniel White. White was reportedly southbound when a northbound vehicle attempted to make a left hand turn into Whispering Pines Trailer Park. That vehicle was driven by Gail …

A biosolids foam-over event from the Autoheated Thermophilic Aerobic Digestion system Wednesday morning was contained within the newly constructed containment area at the Three Rivers Wastewater Treatment Plant, according to James Baker, plant superintendent. The containment area was constructed to serve as a final protective barrier to prevent biosolids foam from entering Lincoln Street and the city’s storm-sewer system. The …

The St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit Wednesday executed a search warrant on a suspected methamphetamine production lab in the 100 block of South Erie Street in Three Rivers. The warrant was the culmination of an ongoing investigation that started with citizen tips, according to sheriff’s department officials. Investigators found numerous components for manufacturing as well as paraphernalia for use …

Electric-transmission company ITC Holdings has made a financial contribution to the village of Colon to help with the restoration of a row of businesses destroyed by fire nearly two months ago. The $10,000 donation was presented this week to village president Tom Tenney. ITC officials hand-delivered the check to Tenney, who expressed his gratitude for the funds. A Prudential real …