News

April’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was four-tenths of a percent lower than the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s 3.7 percent April unemployment rate marked a decrease from March’s 4.1 percent. St. Joseph County equaled the state’s unemployment average for the month. The agency said payroll …

Here’s the weekly update from Michigan Department of Transportation regarding its work on the U.S. 131 reconstruction project in Three Rivers. Single-lane closures remain in effect for northbound and southbound routes. Meanwhile, median curb islands and pavement widenings are to be paved this week, later than originally scheduled due to rain delays last week. Also, crews are continuing utility work …

An arrest was made last week following an incident in which a Cass County sheriff’s deputy was dragged a short distance by a suspect trying to flee in a vehicle from authorities. Sheriff Richard Behnke said the situation unfolded shortly after 11 p.m. Thursday, when deputies responded to an in-progress theft of a travel trailer on Savage Road in Marcellus …

Michelle McNamara, professor of communications at Glen Oaks Community College, has been selected to receive the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Suanne Davis Roueche Faculty Conference Scholarship. McNamara is one of five recipients in the nation to receive the award, which reflects NISOD’s mission of promoting and celebrating excellence in teaching, learning and leadership at community and technical …

State police troopers are investigating the death of a 37-year-old man who died over the weekend in Mendon Township. Trooper Cody King said authorities were called to a field in the 26000 block of Simpson Road in response to a pickup that had crashed into a tree in a tree line in an open field. An adult in the bed …

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will sign a bill to cut the country’s highest auto premiums following a landmark deal that was reached with legislative leaders and approved by large margins in the House and Senate. The changes will follow a years-long impasse in the state over generous but mandatory health benefits that are included in every car insurance policy under …

Authorities are investigating the death of Kelly-Jien Warner-Miller, whose body was found Thursday at a home in the 200 block of North Maple Street in Sturgis. Wade Allen, 35, has been arrested in connection with the case. Allen is charged with open murder, dismemberment of a corpse and failure to report a death, according to court documents. Around 11 p.m. …

A Cass County man died last week in a farming-related accident. Rocky Stoner, 19, of Marcellus, was killed Thursday at Sparks Cedarlee Farms in Penn Township. Cass County sheriff ’s officials said Stoner and another employee were moving a metal roof truss. Stoner was holding the steel truss as the other employee worked a forklift to move the truss into …

A Park Township manufacturing plant sustained heavy damage from a fire early Saturday. Authorities said no injuries were reported as a result of the 1 a.m. fire at Simpson’s Enterprise Inc., located in the 55000 block of Franklin Drive in Park Township. The blaze required the services of 10 area departments. Officials said flames were visible through the roof of …

State Rep. Aaron Miller joined House legislators last week in giving approval to a proposal that brings lower car-insurance prices to residents and families across the state, primarily through consumer choice. The plan guarantees lower rates for all drivers in Michigan, mending the state’s no-fault system and reducing what currently is the highest average car insurance premium in the nation. …