The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has approved the change of fiscal-year end for four of six funds. During action at last week’s commission meeting, the board changed the fiscal-year end from September 30 to Dec. 31 for funds related to secondary road patrol, community corrections advisory, community corrections program and victim rights advocate. The change was made …

 Whether you’re doing it for the first time, or continuing a family tradition, the annual Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk is less than a week away. Gov. Rick Snyder will lead the expected 40,000 walkers across the 5-mile span beginning at 7 a.m. Monday, Sept. 1. Walkers can start across the bridge up until 11 a.m., and buses are available to bring walkers …

Each September, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sponsors NationalPreparedness Month (http://www.ready.gov) to highlight the importance ofbeing prepared for the unexpected. This is good advice for everyone; butfor business owners, being prepared to respond to the aftermath of naturalor man-made disasters can literally mean the difference between staying inbusiness and closing the doors forever. According to FEMA*, up to 40percent of …

It’s difficult to watch a newscast without feeling depressed. Hardly a day goes by when you don’t hear of someone being murdered, someone getting killed in a terrible accident, or someone losing their home in a fire. I could go on and on about the bad news that is thrown at us by the media. The truth is that bad …

  City of Sturgis officials are reminding motorists about the detours in place as a result of the reconstruction of North Centerville Road. Detour signs were placed last week at West Chicago Road and Progress Street diverting traffic to Broadus Street. Construction will span from West Chicago Road to the railroad track just south of Progress Street. A complete rebuild …

  The Constantine Village Council has endorsed the concept of a proposed employee handbook for the community’s fire department. Fire Chief Mike Haydon said he learned its insurance company’s Risk Management Department required a handbook after several part-time employees were hired. Haydon said he would put an adopted date on the handbook once he got approval from the three municipalities …

Evelyn Charlotte Caniff, age 97, of Three Rivers, died Friday, Aug.22, 2014 at Terry Graber’s home in Constantine. She was born in Midlothian, IL on Jan. 21, 1917 the daughter of Homer C. and Emma A. Hulbert. Evelyn was married to Albert R. Caniff on Jan 31, 1942 and they later made their home in Three Rivers. Evelyn was a …

Jerry Eugene Sangalli, age 81, of Three Rivers, MI., passed away on Sunday, August 24, 2014 at the Bronson Methodist Hospital surrounded by his loving family following a brief illness. Jerry was born on January 12, 1933 in Three Rivers, MI., the son of the late Battista and Erminia (Catto) Sangalli. Jerry graduated from Three Rivers High School and later …

  The July unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased by eight-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 6.9 percent July unemployment rate was more than June’s 6.1 percent. Its July unemployment rate, however, was 2.8 percent less than the same …

  The Three Rivers Department of Public Services wishes to give advance notice about its upcoming hydrant-flushing process. Hydrants citywide will start being flushed Sept. 3. The activity is expected to continue through the end of the month, weeknights from 11 until 5 o’clock the following morning. The department asks residents to please be aware that some rusty water may …