WLKM Radio 95.9 FM

May’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was half a percent higher than the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s 4.2 percent May unemployment rate marked an increase from April’s 3.7 percent. St. Joseph County’s rate was slightly greater than the state unemployment average, which was 3.9 percent …

Here’s the weekly update from the Michigan Department of Transportation regarding the reconstruction of US-131 in Three Rivers. MDOT officials said the Stage 2 traffic pattern remains in place and operating with two-way traffic taking place on southbound US-131. Bridge work at the Rocky River bridge, north of Hoffman Road, continues. Meanwhile, MDOT crews are also focusing on the M-60 …

Members of the St. Joseph County Historical Society have completed a three-year restoration of the former White Pigeon Prairie U. S. Land Office. During the opening day of White Pigeon Days last Friday, historical society president Lori Dahlquist surprised curator Holly Stephenson with a plaque recognizing the energy and effort Stephenson put into the restoration campaign. Many other people, including …

A Dowagiac woman was arrested on drug-related charges following a traffic stop last week. Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke said Renietta Szulczyk, 31, was in a vehicle stopped Thursday at the corner of Main and Walnut streets in the city of Dowagiac. Deputies allegedly found methamphetamine and analogue medications in her purse, according to Behnke. In addition, Szulczyk was wanted …

The Centreville school board has rated superintendent Stephanie Lemmer “highly effective” and extended her contract through 2021. The 37-year-old Lemmer received an overall evaluation score of 91 percent. Board president Jeff Troyer said that over the past year, Lemmer showed growth in labor relations and staff relations. Financial terms of Lemmer’s contract call for a two percent base salary increase, to …

Members of the Centreville Public Schools Board of Education approved some personnel matters Monday. The board approved hiring Laura Schmidt as elementary school social worker and appointed elementary librarian Mary Beals as the high school’s summer school teacher. Board members renewed coaching contracts for Shawn Hulin, girls’ track; Mike Hunter, boys’ track; Stephen Larsen, golf; and Scott Logan, softball. Baseball …

White Pigeon Days, the third community festival in St. Joseph County this summer, wraps up today. The fire department pancake and sausage breakfast starts at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, which will complement a car show that begins at 8 a.m. The midway – featuring merchants, booths and inflatables – opens at 9 a.m. A home run derby starts at 10 a.m. …

You want me to WHAT?  Find the hot dog slices under the tennis balls?  I guess I can do that.  I am a catahoula mix, named Gracie.  I have a brindle/spotted coat and I am about one and a half years old.  I am spayed and up to date on my vaccinations.  I am good with children and other dogs …

St. Joseph County commissioners are expected to approve the hiring of two new sheriff’s department deputies. Commissioners during Wednesday’s executive committee meeting recommended a request from Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite, who was seeking an exception to the county’s hiring freeze in order to fill two spots created by a pair of resignations. Commissioners agreed to the request but also planned to …

State police troopers are investigating the theft of several kayaks from the Corey Lake area in Fabius Township. The first vessel was a Necky brand tandem kayak, blue in color and taken from a residence in the 11000 block of Point Road. The other two are Dolphin brand, single-person kayaks. They are blue in color and were taken from a …