Business

Unemployment in St. Joseph County was 1 percent lower in April compared to March. Figures from the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives show the county’s April unemployment figure was 5.5 percent, down from 6.5 percent in March. The 5.5 percent rate was also lower than the county’s 6.9 percent unemployment compared to the same month in 2013. …

The new State of Michigan map is out, featuring Belle Isle on the Detroit River as a state park for the very first time. The Michigan Department of Transportation has posted the 2014 state transportation map online while paper versions of the map will be available free of charge at all Michigan Welcome Centers and M-DOT offices. In addition to …

The state says Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged slightly down to its lowest level in six years. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget said Wednesday that April’s state jobless rate fell one-tenth of a percentage point to 7.4 percent. It’s the lowest since April 2008 and marks the eighth consecutive monthly decline. The national rate for April …

A White Pigeon man was airlifted to a Kalamazoo hospital following a two-vehicle accident Tuesday at the intersection of U.S. 12 and U.S. 131. Thomas Lapham, 50, was in serious condition following the 4 a.m. accident. He was driving east on U.S. 12 when a westbound vehicle driven by 25-year-old Kevin Groff, of Burr Oak, turned south onto U.S. 131 …

State Rep. Matt Lori on Thursday commended House approval of a legislative package to fund repairs to Michigan’s transportation system. He called the action a good first step toward a sustainable solution. Lori voted in favor of the bills that will dedicate $450 million to help fix the state’s transportation system. The increased funding would go into effect in 2015. …

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder visited Armstrong International Monday, addressing area business leaders and key Armstrong personnel. Snyder focused on the state of the economy in Michigan during his one-hour visit and speech. Snyder cited the importance of education, deteriorating roads, health care and creating more jobs as areas of consideration moving forward in his role as governor. He also commended …

A large crowd was on hand last week at Belle Epoque to salute Three Rivers’ Citizen of the Year, Jerry Wright. Presented by the Three Rivers Lions Club, the Citizen of the Year was newly named this year in honor of Bruce C. Snook. Snook was a longtime Lion and community activist who passed away last August. The 70-year-old Wright …

The March unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by three-tenths of a percent compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 6.5 percent March unemployment rate was less than February’s 6.8 percent. In addition, the March unemployment rate was 1.4 percent less than the same …

Names of the three people involved in a two-vehicle accident have been released by Michigan State Police. The incident occurred around 12:15 p.m. Thursday at Riverside Drive and U.S. 131 in Constantine Township. Investigators said Patricia VanDyke, 74, of Elkhart, proceeded east on Riverside and into the path of a northbound semi driven by Timothy Miller, 61, of Kalamazoo. VanDyke …

Many of Comcast’s Michigan customers may soon have a new cable provider. The company announced Monday that it has reached a deal with Charter Communications Inc. that involves selling some of it’s cable systems and creating a new spin-off company to take over some Comcast cable customers. The move is meant to help Comcast’s ability to get regulatory approval for …