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A work session for the county’s 2015 fiscal year budget scheduled for today has been canceled. During Tuesday’s county commission meeting, finance director Joni Smith said the proposed budget is in order and a public hearing on it will take place at the commission’s Dec. 2 meeting.

Michigans unemployment rate in October was the lowest in the state since January through March 2008. According to the Department of Technology, Management & Budget, the jobless rate last month edged downward by one-tenth of a percentage point to 7.1 percent. Total employment rose by 13,000 over the month while the number of unemployed fell by 8,000. The net impact …

The three people killed when an Amtrak train struck a minivan west of Kalamazoo Tuesday have been identified. Michigan State Police identified the victims as the driver 21-year-old Joshua Cartwright, 20-year-old Ashley Melson and 19-year-old Justin Mastin, all of Kalamazoo. Police are still trying to figure out why their minivan pulled in front of an Amtrak train in Oshtemo Township on the …

Three Rivers Health announces it has two patient navigators assisting with the second open enrollment period, which runs through Feb. 15. Federal officials anticipate HealthCare.gov — the site used by Michigan residents — will be better than last year’s version. Sixteen insurers are selling policies through the Michigan exchange for 2015 coverage, up from 12 in 2014. All insurers that …

The latest PowerPoint presentation regarding a proposed river trail concept has been added to St. Joseph County’s website. The document shows the current state of the St. Joseph County River Trail Master Plan, including initial concept plan sketches following simultaneous meetings last week in Three Rivers and Sturgis. Input to landscape architect Suzanne Fromson of Edgewater Resources is welcome via …

Members of the Centreville Village Council have approved the hiring of Sgt. David Richmond as the chief of police. During a special meeting Monday, council members made the approval two weeks after they increased Richmond’s pay to what is considered is in line with the duties he was performing. Richmond was appointed interim chief at an October meeting. The 30-year-old …

The massive fire that killed 18 horses at Smithfield Stables in Edwardsburg last week is being ruled accidental. Fire investigators from the Michigan State Police believe the blaze was sparked by someone burning leaves behind the barn last Tuesday, but note there is no direct evidence to prove that theory. In addition to the 18 show horses, a donkey and a dog …

I’ve been retired for almost four years and find myself busier than I was when I was punching a time clock. I’ve heard from other retirees that, if you do the right thing after you retire, you don’t have time to work for someone else. I guess I’m doing the right thing, because I still get up early in the …

The city of Sturgis has declared a citywide snow-removal emergency due to snow accumulations of greater than four inches. The snow emergency went into effect at 10 p.m. Monday. By ordinance, during a declared snow removal emergency parking is prohibited on all city streets. Furthermore, the owner of any vehicle parked in violation is subject to being issued a citation …

An 18-year-old Constantine woman was airlifted to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo after a two-vehicle crash last weekend in Three Rivers. St. Joseph County Sheriff deputies said a vehicle driven by Alexandra Harrison pulled in front of a semi driven by a 42-year-old man from Detroit at 2:50 a.m. Sunday at the intersection of U. S. 131 and West Michigan …