News

November’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by one-tenth of a percent from October. Figures from the monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget show St. Joseph County’s unemployment rate fell from 4.7 percent in October to 4.6 percent in November. The county’s November rate from a year earlier was 3.5 percent. Meanwhile, Cass …

St. Joseph County Transportation Authority provided more rides last week as part of its “New Year’s Eve Free Ride Home” than it did a year before. The six-hour service started at 7 p.m. Tuesday and attracted a total of 18 people, according to CTA Director Allen Balog. The mark was two people more compared to the eve of 2024. Balog …

Michigan Department of Natural Resources issued a media release with suggestions for how to best discard live Christmas trees. Agency officials say many trees are classified as softwoods – including balsam and Douglas fir – and they are often too dense for most fish to use as a habitat. So, as an alternative option, the DNR encourages creating a brush …

The four-year term of St. Joseph County Sheriff Chad Spence became official Thursday with a swearing-in ceremony at Sturges Young Center for the Arts. Spence was elected sheriff during a five-man race in the primary election, topping challengers that included Jason Bingaman and Dennis Allen. Incumbent Mark Lillywhite chose to not seek re-election. Also involved in Thursday’s ceremony was David …

More than 100 people showed up Wednesday for a benefit 5K to support a Centreville teacher recovering from breast cancer. “Love for Laura,” organized by longtime friend Michelle Smith of Vicksburg, was coordinated to recognize Laura Wilson. Wilson is an English/language arts teacher at Centreville Junior High. She previously taught 19 years at Vicksburg Middle School. Participants included several Centreville …

A longtime administrator with Sturgis Public Schools passed away last month. Larry McConnell died Dec. 21 at the age of 92. He had served as Sturgis superintendent for 18 years during a span that included the 1990s. After retirement, McConnell remained active in the community. He served on the Thurston Woods Village Board of Directors and was a past president …

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters recently issued a media release regarding actions he has helped take to prevent oil spills in the Great Lakes. Peters said he and others took action after realizing the state isn’t adequately equipped to handle a potential spill in the Great Lakes. As a result, the U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes Center of Expertise was created. …

A Vicksburg man died on Monday in Southern Ohio, where the small airplane he was flying crashed into a wooded area. Officials in Adams County, Ohio, said Harris Coles, 46, was flying a 1960, twin-engine Cessna 310D. It crashed round 3 p.m. in an area about 60 miles from Cincinnati. Coles was the only person on the plane. Further details …

The Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce has set the date for its annual Ice Breaker event. The 2025 Ice Breaker and silent auction will start at 6 o’clock February 22nd at the Armstrong Recreation Hall in Three Rivers. Cost is $20 per person, which will include food and beverages. Tickets on the day of the event at the door …

Constantine Village Council members recently approved the transfer of a provisioning license. During its Dec. 16 meeting, the village council OK’d the license transfer from Atlas Cannabis Co., to Stateline Enterprises LLC. Municipal officials said Stateline representatives have indicated their intent to include the license transfer with the purchase of a property at 230 N. Washington St. The proposed new …