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Michigan retailers report that sales during the just-completed holiday season were “positive” and better than last year, even though they did not meet pre-season expectations. A new survey from the Michigan Retailers Association found that a strong December made up for a slow start in November, as retailers posted an average year-to-year sales improvement of 1.1 percent. That was slightly …

Michigans unemployment in December fell to its lowest level in more than 12 years. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget says the jobless rate last month was down by four-tenths of a percentage point to 6.3 percent. That’s the lowest monthly rate for the state since the November 2002 rate of 6.2 percent. The states labor force was …

A 51-year-old man has been sentenced to six months in jail after authorities say he beat his girlfriend with a two-week-old puppy, causing the animal’s death.  Timothy Tucker also was sentenced Tuesday to four years of probation and entry into the Swift and Sure Sanctions Program. He was ordered to pay state fees and restitution.  Tucker pleaded guilty in December …

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A 25-year-old Illinois man with ties to St. Joseph County is being held in the LaGrange County jail after a high-speed pursuit late Saturday. Benjamin Horne was arrested by LaGrange County Sheriff’s deputies and charged with resisting an officer, criminal recklessness and possession of marijuana. Around 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Colon police attempted to stop Horne’s vehicle for an equipment violation. …

After adjusting their executive committee meeting schedule over the past six months, members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners appear to have finally settled on a mutually agreeable day. Commissioners decided Tuesday to stage the twice-a-month committee meeting at 8 a.m. every Thursday before a commission meeting. While the 8 a.m. start time has been consistent for several …

A St. Joseph County educator known for using hands-on experiences to help students learn about science, and for her support and leadership of a variety of school programs, has been honored with an Excellence in Education award from the Michigan Lottery. Jan Summey a science teacher at Burr Oak Middle School, recently won the weekly award. She will receive a …

Three advisory board appointments were made Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Jeffery Baker was reappointed to a four-year term on the county’s veterans’ affairs board; Mendon resident Lon Huffman was granted another three-year term to the Southcentral Michigan Planning Council; and Three Rivers-area resident Lola Gross was reappointed to a three-year term on the county’s board …

In his 5th State of the State address on Tuesday night, Governor Rick Snyder called on the legislature to help create a “river of opportunity” for those who are struggling in Michigan. In addition, the governor proposed merging two state departments into one large department. The proposal would merge the Departments of Community Health and Human Services into one department …

An 18-year-old pilot in training is counting his blessings after the small plane he was flying crash-landed in a LaGrange County field. Jordan Stoltzfus walked away uninjured after the two-seater airplane crashed less than a mile from his Shipshewana home. The Westview High School senior says he flew from Goshen Airport to Elkhart, performing a couple takeoffs and landings. Stoltzfus …