News

December’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County dropped more than 1 percent from the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s unemployment rate was 3.2 percent, down from 4.3 percent in November.  St. Joseph County featured the lowest unemployment rate in the region in December. The rate in Kalamazoo …

The St. Joseph County United Way is winding down its 2021 campaign and agency officials are issuing an end-of-campaign challenge. Director Kelly Hostetler said the seven-day, $15,000 challenge is on and will conclude Friday. Prospective donors are able to donate with a credit card, check or cash at the United Way’s Centreville office. Pledges can also be made and a …

St. Joseph County is home to a high school state championship team. Centreville High School’s varsity football squad claimed the Division 8 state title Friday in Detroit, where the Bulldogs defeated Ubly, 22-0. The defensive-led team entered the game 10-0 and took a 16-0 halftime lead to the locker room thanks to a pair of second-quarter scores. Sam Todd secured …

One winning ticket was sold for the $1 billion Mega Millions jackpot to someone who bought it in Michigan, making it the third-largest lottery prize in U.S. history. The winning numbers for Friday night’s drawing were 4, 26, 42, 50 and 60, with a Mega Ball of 24. The winning ticket was purchased at a Kroger store in the Detroit suburb of …

Michigan restaurants and bars can reopen for indoor dining at 25% capacity and with a 10 p.m. curfew starting Feb. 1, and concessions can resume at casinos, movie theaters and stadiums, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Friday. The state health department’s coronavirus restrictions were loosened again amid a continued drop in cases and hospitalizations. They will be effective for three weeks, …

A woman has been killed and her husband and five children hurt after the horse pulling their buggy veered in front of a pickup truck in Branch County. Barbara Jo Schwartz, 39, died at an Indiana hospital following the 8:50 a.m. Friday crash in Algansee Township, according to Branch County sheriff’s deputies. The family was thrown from the buggy which struck the fender of …

A 64-year-old man drowned in a Lake Michigan bay when his off-road vehicle hit open water, authorities said. Edward Lester of Garden was at Big Bay De Noc, off Delta County, for ice fishing Thursday. Ice in the area was 4 to 5 inches thick but “recent high winds caused the crack to open,” said Lt. Eugene “Skip” Hagy of …

A barn fire earlier this week in Flowerfield Township is believed to have been an act of arson, according to state police. Troopers were called Tuesday to the 11000 block of Mt. Zion Road in response to a barn engulfed in flames. Investigators said there is reason to believe suspicious people and vehicles were in the area prior to the …

The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging wishes to correct information it stated last week regarding the return of group exercise beginning this past Wednesday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services had announced last week it was allowing group exercise classes. After further researching the state’s website, COA officials discovered that group exercise is allowed, but not at …

Michigan State Police troopers were called this week to investigate an incident of fraud involving a senior citizen in St Joseph County. The victim was contacted by individuals he believed to be his grandson and a lawyer. The two stated his grandson was injured in an at-fault crash, and needed $9,500 in cash for medical and legal fees. The victim …