The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has announced it will provide no-cost, weekly curbside COVID-19 testing through the end of June at locations in each of the three counties it represents. Health officer Rebecca Burns said tests are offered to residents as an opportunity to receive rapid results, typically within 30 minutes. Testing is 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Fridays …

A trio of seniors from Three Rivers High School was awarded $1,000 scholarships through Midwest Energy & Communications. The scholarships were issued based on academic achievement, leadership and community involvement. They are also daughters of MEC customers. Madelyn Adams has been active with the high school marching and symphony bands, choir and theater. She plans to study wildlife biology at …

State Rep. Steve Carra has helped introduce a plan to allow law-abiding residents to carry a firearm without a permit. House Bills 4863-68 would repeal the requirement that a citizen who legally owns a firearm obtain a permit to carry it. The plan would authorize anyone not otherwise prohibited from carrying a firearm to carry anywhere that open or concealed-carry …

Kathy Regina Freeby, age 66, of Three Rivers, went to be with the Lord Jesus on May 14, 2021 after a nine-month-long battle with cancer. She was born November 25, 1954 in Oneonta, Alabama to Euel and Robbie (McCay) Faile, who preceded her in death. Kathy leaves behind her husband of 31 years, Michael Freeby; three siblings, Debbie Faile, Tina …

A White Pigeon man was injured this week after the motorcycle he was driving was involved in an accident in Florence Township. Sheriff Mark Lillywhite said deputies were called at 4:30 p.m. Monday to Banker Road and Burgener Road in response to a-car-versus-motorcycle incident. The 53-year-old motorcycle driver was traveling north on Burgener Road when he disregarded a stop sign …

The Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport conducted an emergency drill starting on Friday (5-21-21). Area police, fire and emergency agencies converged on the airport to practice procedures necessary in the event of an actual emergency. It was part of a drill to support the requirements to exercise the Airport Emergency Plan every three years, according to Anton Bjorkman, assistant director of …

Members of the Three Rivers City Commission approved a pair of ordinances to allow recreational marijuana facilities. Two ordinances approved Tuesday will allow recreational marijuana establishments as special-exception uses. Meanwhile, the second detailed how and where they are able to locate within the city. Municipal officials said it’s likely applications for permits by November. In addition, stipulations will require that …

Sharon Lou Griffin-Connelly, age 70, of Constantine, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. She is forever in our hearts and her legacy of love will live forever in all of us. Sharon was born on October 15, 1950 in Detroit, the first born to Gerald and Pamela (Anderson) Griffin. She graduated from Wayne Memorial High School …

A St. Joseph County steering committee, formed to identify the fate of nearly $12 million in federal funds, held its first meeting this week. Though specifics of the meeting weren’t stated, St. Joseph County Administrator Teresa Doehring told commissioners Tuesday that the gathering was a good starting point. It took place earlier in the day Tuesday. The parties involved were …

The Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy has been awarded $1 million from Kalamazoo River Natural Resources Damages Assessment settlement funds to purchase a 140-acre property in Allegan County. The property, the Armintrout-Milbocker Nature Preserve, is located just outside downtown Allegan and along the west bank of the Kalamazoo River. Conservancy officials said the heart of the property features 100 upland acres of mostly …