News

October’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was 1 percent higher than the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s 4.7 percent October’s unemployment rate marked an increase from September’s 3.7 percent. St. Joseph County was above the state’s unemployment average, which was 3.5 percent in October. Employment rose, …

A Mendon man was arrested last week on traffic- and drug-related charges. Sheriff Brad Balk said the man was in a car pulled over for an equipment violation around 2 p.m. Friday on M-66 near Hackman Road in Burr Oak Township. During the deputy’s investigation, the driver was found to be operating the vehicle without a license and had put …

St. Joseph County is home to two state championship teams following action over the weekend. Colon High School won the 8-man Division 1 football championship Saturday at Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome in Marquette. The Magi topped Suttons Bay, 26-14, in front of hundreds of Colon fans. The win caps off a 13-0 season for fourth-year head coach Robbie Hatten …

Two people were injured in a three-vehicle crash earlier this week in Cass County’s Mason Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday to the intersection of Old M-205 and Cassopolis Road. Deputies said 65-year-old Cassopolis resident William Thorley was driving south on M-205 when an oncoming automobile crossed the center line and collided with his …

The Salvation Army of Kalamazoo is in need of at least six volunteers per shift to help with its 2019 Thanksgiving distribution next week. Volunteers are needed Tuesday. They will be completing boxes with perishable food items and may be asked to assist clients with their boxes. Volunteers must be able to lift 20 pounds. There are two shifts available: …

A pickup was stolen earlier this week from a location in Burr Oak Township. Michigan State Police troopers said the vehicle, a 1993 Ford F250, was stolen between 2:30 and 3 a.m. Tuesday from the 63000 block of Needham Road. The truck is described as dark green, with a large blue-and-white “Ford Racing” emblem on the hood.

The one-time executive director of Three Rivers Area Mentoring has entered a plea agreement of guilty to a charge of larceny from the agency. Court officials said Randall Norton entered the plea to a charge of larceny greater than $200 but less than $1,000. Randall was arrested in July on an original charge of embezzlement between $1,000 and $20,000 from …

Two exceptions were made this week to St. Joseph County’s self-imposed hiring freeze. County commissioners Tuesday granted requests from district court and the prosecutor’s office to fill vacancies considered essential. District court was in need of a probation officer, a position vacant since the start of the month. Officials said the job is critical because a probation officer provides a …

A section of a major north-south route in St. Joseph County – closed since April – will reopen by the end of the week. Michigan Department of Transportation’s Nick Schirripa said work related to the former bridge on M-66, just north of the M-86 split to Colon, is wrapping up and the road is scheduled to open on or before …

St. Joseph County commissioners Tuesday agreed to the renewal of the county’s 2020 indigent defense attorney agreement. The county will pay nearly $570,000 over the 12-month period for attorneys taking on clients who are indigent. The nine-member pool of attorneys is comprised of John Bush, Christine Yancey, Jordan Yancey, Laurie Hines, David Marvin, Melissa Hallack, T.J. Reed, Timothy George and …