News

September’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by nearly a full percentage point from August. 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 5.3 percent in August to 4.4 percent in September. In addition, Cass County also experienced a drop in its unemployment figures …

Twenty-four people, including a 40-year employee, were recognized Monday during a special meeting of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Andrea Guy, representing Friend of the Court, was the longest-serving employee acknowledged during the ceremony. Next up were 30-year employees Kole Mostrom and Mark Pratt. Both work for the county’s building and grounds department. Parks and Recreation Department employee …

Two St. Joseph County residents were injured last week in a two-vehicle crash in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies responded around 4:30 p.m. Friday to the intersection of U.S. 12 and Vera Drive. Authorities said Kathy Lee, 53, of White Pigeon, was driving east on U.S. 12 when she attempted an improper U-Turn. A second vehicle, …

Three Rivers Arby’s recently made its third donation of the year to St. Joseph County Animal Control. Following a donation of $2,000 in March and another, in excess of $1,700, in June, the restaurant earlier this month turned over more than $1,800 to the Centreville-based agency. St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Cpt. TJ Baker said as the restaurant did prior to …

Two dozen employees will be recognized during a special St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting later today. The annual employee service award event features 24 recipients whose years of service range from 10 years to four decades. Friend of the Court employee Andrea Guy is a 40-year employee who will be presented with a clock to commemorate her longevity. …

Seven area high school teams qualified for the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s playoffs. All games are slated to be played at 7 o’clock Friday night. In 8-player Division 1, a battle of 8-1 teams will square off in Kalamazoo County, where Mendon takes on Climax-Scotts. In 8-player Division 2, a pair of teams with 7-2 records are on a …

A Sturgis woman is hospitalized and in critical condition following a house fire. Sturgis Department of Public Safety personnel said firefighters were called shortly before 10:30 p.m. Tuesday to a residential fire in the 400 block of Center Avenue. Authorities were advised a woman and child were trapped inside the structure. Emergency personnel tried to enter the second story of …

Three streets in Constantine will be rebuilt next year. Village council members earlier this week approved a bid of nearly $900,000 with contractor Rieth Riley for work on Industrial Drive, Meyers Street and Florence Road. Village officials said cost of the work is being supplemented by a $250,000 Transportation Economic Funds grant. Work is expected to begin in May.

Three Rivers Community Schools is poised to purchase two new electric school buses. District officials agreed Monday to pursue the purchase of the 71-passenger buses, using about $940,000 in federal and state funds. The new vehicles will double the number of electric buses the district has in its fleet; the other two were added in 2019. Grant funding was provided …

Michigan Department of Transportation officials announced one lane of northbound U.S. 131 in Schoolcraft is now open to traffic. Agency officials said the step was taken this week and marks the beginning of the end of the $51 million investment. Originally slated to be completed by the end of November, the second year of the two-year project is on track …