News

August’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by nine-tenths of a percent from July. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate fell from 5.3 percent in July to 4.2 percent in August. Meanwhile, Cass County experienced a drop in its unemployment figures from July to August. Its …

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a breaking-and-entering incident that occurred at a location in Lockport Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called Thursday to a self-storage unit in the 17000 block of M-60. Investigators said a storage unit was compromised between Sept. 9 and Thursday morning. Stolen items include tools, fishing equipment, appliances and clothing.

St. Joseph County Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman has sentenced a Sturgis man for counterfeit activity. Scott Bressler, 41, received eight months in the county jail for running an operation that involved obtaining fake IDs, and using computers to forge and counterfeit checks from various businesses. Bressler pleaded guilty to forgery as a 40-year offense. He also admitted to using …

Cass County Sheriff deputies investigated a three-vehicle injury crash last week in Volinia Township. Deputies were called shortly before 4:30 p.m. Friday to the intersection of Marcellus Highway and Decatur Road. Investigators said a work van driven by 55-year-old Mendon resident John Myers was traveling west on Marcellus Highway, where a Chevy Suburban driven by Collin Jones, 18, of Decatur, …

Battle Creek police said Friday they have arrested three teens in connection with a drive-by shooting that killed a 2-year-old boy. Kai Rowan Turner was shot once in the head around 2:20 a.m. Tuesday when someone fired multiple shots into a home and then fled the scene. The boy later died at a hospital. The suspects all are in their mid to …

Construction on a heavily traveled route in St. Joseph County will begin Monday in Fabius Township. Michigan Department of Transportation officials said the project covers a 6.1-mile stretch of M-60 from Wood Lake Road east to U.S. 131. The $1.4 million project involves repaving M-60 and result in lane closures aided by traffic-control operations. MDOT said the project should be …

The final step toward St. Joseph County’s acquisition of the former Three Rivers Public Library was taken this week. During their monthly meeting Tuesday, county commissioners authorized county administrator Teresa Doehring to sign a contract that will complete the purchase. Three Rivers city officials signed off on their end of the transaction last month. The property, in the 900 block …

The 2022 St. Joseph County Grange Fair is entering its final days of its seven-day run in Centreville. Today’s highlights include a classic motorcycle display, bingo, antique tractor pulls, live music, open-class draft horse hitch show and 4-H Fun Night. The showcase event in the grandstand is NTPA Modified tractor and truck pulls. Saturday’s final day is loaded with attractions …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating the theft of two fifth-wheel, RV trailers from a location in White Pigeon Township. According to agency officials, troopers were dispatched earlier this week to the 14000 block of U.S. 12. The thefts are believed to have occurred at some point between April and August. The incident was reported Tuesday. Both RVs were taken …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency wishes to remind the public that poultry owners need to protect their domestic flocks from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has reported increased cases of HPAI in backyard poultry flocks. None, however, have been identified in the tri-county region. Health officer Rebecca Burns said the agency wishes to …