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November’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County remained less than 7 percent, as it dropped one-tenth of a percent compared to October. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget indicated seasonal retail hiring helped offset job losses in the construction and hospitality fields. St. Joseph County’s 6.7 percent November unemployment rate was not only …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department and the Centreville Fire Department are hosting a Community Emergency Response Team class. The three-part program starts Jan. 19 and continues Feb. 2 and 16 at the sheriff’s department. It will run 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and lunch will be provided. The Community Emergency Response Team program educates people about disaster preparedness for …

Several chainsaws and a gas-powered pruning saw were taken early Monday from a business in Park Township. Sheriff Brad Balk said someone broke into Fillmore Equipment, located at 16700 U.S. 131, by shattering a front window. Balk said the incident at the John Deere dealership occurred prior to employees arriving to work for the day.

KALAMAZOO – The Kalamazoo Wings will be welcoming a new face to the lineup while at the same time losing two more. Forward Alexandre Grenier has been reassigned to the K-Wings by the Chicago Wolves of the AHL. Grenier, who started the season in Salzburg, Austria, is a first year pro. Grenier was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the …

2013 is now one week old, and I’m wondering how many people are holding fast to the resolutions that they made last week. Do people still make them? Usually, resolutions deal with losing weight, or being more mindful as far as taking care of things around the house. I normally don’t make resolutions, but I’ve decided to do so this …

The city of Sturgis has been recognized for the third consecutive year for its work to foster entrepreneurial growth and economic development. The annual honor was given following the 2012 annual eCities research project survey conducted by iLabs through the University of Michigan-Dearborn Center for Innovation Research. Sturgis was honored as a Five-Star Community, joining 27 other Five-Star and 26 …

A 34-year-old Elkhart man was charged with driving on a suspended license and open intoxicants after he was involved in a one-car crash last week in Nottawa Township. Sheriff Brad Balk said Chad Ginther was driving east on Butler Road when Ginther crossed the center line, drove off the roadway and his vehicle struck a tree east of North Angling …

A 55-year-old Sturgis man, whose license has been expired since 1987, was arrested after forcing a Michigan State Police trooper to take evasive action from being struck head-on Sunday evening in Mottville Township. The trooper was driving westbound on U.S. 12 when an oncoming vehicle forced him to drive off the roadway. The driver of the eastbound vehicle was stopped …

A hit-and-run incident in Lockport Township was reported to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department shortly before 7 o’clock Saturday night. According to a department media release, a vehicle drove into a garage door at a residence in the 20000 block of Schweitzer Road, then left the scene in an unknown direction. The door incurred heavy damage, while a vehicle …

A citizen’s tip led the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team last week to a Porter Township residence, where marijuana and hashish were discovered. Sheriff Joe Underwood said a report of suspected illegal activity at a residence in the 15000 block of U.S. 12 led detectives to the address around 11:30 a.m. Thursday. After investigators discovered the drugs, 27-year-old Melissa Goodman …