Jon Leonard Griest, 80, of Beverly Hills, Fla., and formerly of Colon, passed away Saturday, June 15, 2013. Jon was born Sept. 10, 1932, in Colon, a son of Gerald G. Griest and Wildred E. Hovarter Griest. He was a graduate of Western Michigan University Delta Sigma Phi and a Korean War veteran. He was a former resident of Edina, …

The Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees adopted the college’s 2013-2014 operating budget during its June 17 meeting held on the Dowagiac campus. The budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 is a balanced budget of $22,824,000. Board Chairman Dr. Fred L. Mathews said, “Southwestern Michigan College has adopted a structurally balanced budget each and every year since the …

Construction of a nearly five-mile, two-lane US-131 bypass of Constantine – a project that began on February 4th – continues to move forward with a target of completion in November 2013. The project – with an $18 million price tag – includes a new, 870-foot bridge over the St. Joseph River near Riverside Drive, on the southwest side of the …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has endorsed submission of the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) FY 2014-2016 Multi-Year Plan to the Michigan Commission on Services to the Aging for final review and approval. The action came Tuesday (June 18) following a presentation by Laura Sutter, AAA Coordinator with the Branch-St. Joseph Area Agency on Aging (IIIC) housed with …

The Three Rivers City Commission has set Friday, July 12 at noon as the deadline for persons interested in filling the vacancy created by the resignation of At-Large Commissioner David York to submit a Citizen Interest Form to the City Clerk’s office. The determination came Tuesday evening (June 18), the final meeting for York who is moving to Lockport Township …

Ramona Mae Kline, age 84, of Mendon, died Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at Riverview Manor where she had resided the past six months. She was born in Three Rivers on June 2, 1929 the daughter of George and Ruth (Bowersox) Miller. She graduated from Three Rivers High School with the class of 1946. Ramona was married to Maurice S. Kline …

Ellen Lillian Thompson, age 47, of Three Rivers, went to be with her Lord on Thursday, June 13, 2013 at the Bronson Methodist Hospital following a courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Chicago, IL., on May 11, 1966 the daughter of Mr. Ronald and Vesta Thompson. Ellen was very active with the community. She served on the Board …

I’m starting this week’s column midway through the 57th Annual Water Festival here in Three Rivers. I’ve been involved with the Water Festival for at least five or six years now, so I feel that I know at least a little bit about what I’m talking about. I’ve been co-chairing the parade for several years now, working with Pam Hughes. …

The Fabius Township Environmental and Wetlands Protection Advisory Committee is staging a spring seminar this weekend. Committee officials said two presenters and environmental specialists will be on hand. Department of Natural Resources wildlife specialist Ken Keeson will present the program “Planting Native Grasses for Shoreline Development,” while Patty Hoch-Melluish will lead “Healthy Lakes,” a program on the benefits and how-to …

The City of Three Rivers is continuing to work with Custom Mechanical Contractors of Middleville, MI to replace residential water meters throughout the City. They work  for one month (Wednesday thru Friday each week) in a district, and move to another district for the next month. They are currently working in first district. They will start their second month of …