News

December’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by three-tenths of a percent from November. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget was released recently. It showed St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate fell from 4 percent in November to 3.7 percent in December. The rate was 6.2 percent 12 months earlier. Meanwhile, Cass County …

Branch Hillsdale St. Joseph Community Health Agency and the Area Agency on Aging have received KN-95 masks, which are ready for distribution. Community members can receive a package of 10 masks starting Tuesday at their local health department office. There is a limit of one, 10-mask package per person and they will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while …

Members of the Constantine Village Council last week discussed several topics related to the municipality’s fire-protection services. The discussion included representatives from Constantine and Florence townships, who help supervise the fire department. Municipal attorney Catherine Kauffman provided details about how the village and townships could institute a fire authority and explained the steps involved in such a collaboration. One funding …

COVID-19 testing and vaccine clinics offered each week at Glen Oaks Community College will be moved to the foyer of Ken Schuler Court beginning Tuesday. The relocation stems from temporary closure at Dresser Business Development Center – where the clinics have been held – due to a water-line break. Weekly clinics are offered 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to …

South Michigan Food Bank has announced its 10 Fresh Food Distributions this month in St. Joseph County. Starting next week, the first event of the month will be at 3:30 Feb. 7 at Burr Oak High School. Next up will be 4 o’clock Feb. 8 at Seventh Day Adventist Church in Centreville. A distribution will follow at 4 p.m. Feb. …

Incumbent State Sen. Kim LaSata will face at least one challenger in her pursuit of a second, four-year term. Branch County native Jonathan Lindsey announced earlier this month he will seek the state senate seat for the newly formed 17th District, a portion of which features what is currently the 21st District. Lindsey, 37, is a Bronson High School graduate …

A Three Rivers man was cited for his role in a three-vehicle crash last week in Elkhart County. Elkhart sheriff’s officials said deputies were called shortly before 3:30 a.m. Monday to a location where Allen Burch Jr., 49, was attempting to turn onto County Road 12 but had stopped after noticing a load he was hauling was unsecured. Deputies said …

A Burr Oak Township woman was appointed to the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority Board last week. During the county commission’s Jan. 18 meeting, Tina Cronkhite was voted to the seven-member board. An employee of Southern Michigan Bank & Trust, Cronkhite indicated in her citizen’s interest form that she would be an asset to the board based on her experience …

Gyms, movie theaters and other businesses hurt by the coronavirus pandemic would receive state grants under a $185 million spending bill that won initial legislative approval Thursday. The 96-6 vote in the House came more than a month after the Legislature and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer enacted $409 million in aid for businesses that lost money — funded with federal discretionary COVID-19 aid. …

A teenager from England was arrested after attempting to blackmail a Branch County girl over an inappropriate photo sent via Snap Chat. Michigan State Police troopers were dispatched Wednesday to a location in Sherwood Township. Authorities said an 11-year-old child accidentally sent an inappropriate photo to another person, claiming to be a 15-year-old female. The suspect then started to attempt …