Business

An undetermined amount of old coins was taken during the burglary of a business over the weekend in downtown Schoolcraft. Police Chief Bryan Campbell said officers responded to an alarm in the 200 block of North Grand Street at 3:47 am Saturday. Officers found that someone had gained entry into Norma’s Antiques. The suspect fled the building moments before police …

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has declared an emergency because of a temporary shortage of heating oil and propane caused by increased demand in recent subzero weather. Snyder said Friday the shortage also is due to heavy snowfall that delayed delivery of heating oil and propane. The governor’s executive order suspends regulations to allow fuel trucks to be on the road …

Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates in November declined in 14 of Michigan’s 17 major labor market regions. According to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget, jobless rates increased seasonally in the states three northern most labor market regions. Total employment rose in most areas over the month, while labor force levels declined seasonally in the majority of regions. Spokesman …

Thirty-five people took advantage of a free ride home New Year’s Eve and early New Year’s Day in St. Joseph County. Thanks to the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority and a number of sponsors, the fifth New Year’s Eve Free Ride Home program saw a 13 percent increase in ridership from a year ago, when it attracted 31 participants. The …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has approved a service agreement with Ann Arbor-based Merit Network Inc. During their Dec. 17 meeting, commissioners supported the service agreement that comes with the Internet line the county had previously approved and paid for. The service agreement covers a five-year period and will go into effect when the Internet line is installed …

The producer of the locally made film “The Current – Three Rivers” has announced three opportunities to see the feature-length presentation. It will be projected on a big screen at 7 p.m. Jan. 16, 17, and 18 at Riverside Church, 207 E. Michigan Ave. Presented in 12 diverse chapters, the movie was filmed in parts of 2012 and 2013, and …

The Cook Nuclear Power Plant in southwest lower Michigan is set for its annual inspection by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission early next year. According to a letter from the NRC to the plant, the inspection is scheduled for the week of March 17. Indiana Michigan Power has until March 10 to send in the written examinations and operating tests to …

Sturgis city manager Mike Hughes said the municipality has been rated a “Five-Star Community” for the second consecutive year for its positive entrepreneurial climate. In addition to receiving the five-star designation, which is the highest ranking awarded, the city also received recognition as a 2013 “Best Practice Community.” The city is one of only eight communities in the state to …

Eric Jones, Mark Heydlauff and Tommy Hamilton were recently appointed to join the Sturgis Hospital Board of Directors and Hospital Foundation Board of Directors. Jones joined the board Oct. 9 and will serve until May 2014. Since 1991, he has been president and owner of Michiana Corrugated Products Company. He is presently a member and vice-president of the Sturgis Hospital …

Indiana Michigan Power is expected to complete aerial inspections on its line towers in Southwest Michigan this week. The company has been conducting the inspections in central and western Indiana, and Kalamazoo and Cass counties in Michigan. Helicopters are being used by Due North Aviation, the company contracted to conduct the inspections.