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St. Joseph County’s July unemployment rate saw a notable increase from the previous month. Monthly figures released from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget Analysis show St. Joseph County had a July unemployment rate of 9.7 percent, a 1.1-percent increase from June. The agency indicated summer layoffs in education contributed to the increase. Despite the increase from June, …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District completed its sixth river cleanup for 2012 last weekend and drew a total of 17 volunteers. The effort started at Farrand Road bridge in Colon Township and covered nearly three miles, ending at the Jacksonburg Road bridge in Leonidas Township. Event organizers estimated nearly 500 pounds of debris was removed from the river. The …

The Sturgis Police Department has issued a media release, indicating it is looking for 37-year-old Chutis  Hicks Jr. Hicks was reported missing last Friday from his residence in the 100 block of North Nottawa Street. Officers advise that caution should be exercised if Hicks is spotted, as his mental state could be volatile. He may be in the Kalamazoo area …

White Pigeon Community Schools Superintendent Ron Drzewicki  said the district is asking its residents to participate in a 15-minute, online survey. He said the district has partnered with the Michigan Association of School Boards to gain perceptions, input and feedback to foster the district’s strategic-planning and goal-setting process. Drzewicki said responses will remain anonymous and confidential. The survey will be …

Bella has a new home I am Teddy, a very happy one year old male Lab Terrier mix. I am very small and feeling kind of lonely. You see my people were not very interested in me any more, don’t understand why, I still like to play and have fun. I wandered off and now I have been here for …

A recount conducted Friday by the St. Joseph County Board of Election Canvassers confirmed Gordon Evilsizor’s primary-election win as Florence Township supervisor. The recount was sought by incumbent Tom Young, who has served the past 10 of his 19 years on the township board as its supervisor. The election-night tally showed Evilsizor with a three-vote margin, 65-62. Following last week’s …

A 45-year-old man from Cass County was charged with a number of offenses after he was found in the company of a 15-year-old girl he allegedly courted through the Internet. Cass County Sheriff’s Department investigators said Dean Young, who had recently moved from Arizona to a residence he shared with a friend in the unincorporated community of Union, was charged …

Mayor Tom Lowry and members of the Three Rivers City Commission have agreed to a tax-abatement request sought by Precision Wire Forms. The action was taken during Tuesday’s meeting, when Lowry and commissioners mulled the 12-year Industrial Facilities Tax-Exemption Certificate for the West Broadway Road business. Company officials indicated Precision Wire Forms is expected to make a $1.3 million investment …

Roadwork along two heavily traveled routes in St. Joseph County is finished in one location and winding down at the other. The Michigan Department of Transportation on Thursday was scheduled to complete maintenance work on M-66, between U.S. 12 and the Indiana state line, in Sturgis and Sturgis Township. The three-day construction project resulted in single-lane closures on the busy …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department has unveiled the newest addition to its marine patrol. Sheriff Brad Balk and Captain Jason Bingaman this week showed off its newest boat, a Boston Whaler that features a side-scan sonar device. Thanks to nearly $3,500 in donations, the department was able to purchase the boat and sonar unit. The boat was named “Daniella,” …