Consumers Energy has announced its participation in “Our Town,” an initiative to support Michigan’s small businesses. The agency has partnered with 55 chambers and downtown groups, including Three Rivers, to support the gift-card program. It provides holiday shoppers with a dollar-for-dollar match for gift cards they buy through local chambers of commerce and downtown organizations, doubling the amount they can …

James Joseph “Jim” Rockelein, age 67, of Leonidas, died Monday, Dec. 7, 2020 at Heartland Healthcare in Three Rivers following a five-year illness. He was born in Sturgis, on Oct. 6, 1953 the son of Joseph L. and Alice Marie (Kelly) Rockelein. He was a lifetime resident of St. Joseph County and graduated from Colon High School with the class …

The Kalamazoo Wings announced this week that they will be sitting out this season due to the pandemic. Earlier this year, the ECHL announced that several teams had opted to start the season in mid-December, with the remainder of the teams choosing to start their season in mid-January. Since then, with the increase of COVID-19 cases and stricter guidelines from …

A 54-year-old Sherwood man died after he was involved in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday in Fawn River Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said deputies were called around 4:30 a.m. to the area of U.S. 12 and Sweet Lake Road. Investigators said Daniel Waring was driving west on U.S. 12 when an eastbound vehicle driven by Alondra Aguilar, 19, …

Sturgis officials announced a traffic roundabout will be built in 2023. The traffic circle will be constructed at what will become the East Lafayette Street- North Franks Avenue intersection. The city recently was awarded a $472,000 highway safety improvement program grant from Michigan Department of Transportation for road-safety improvements. The city received the grant funding to rework the intersection of …

Constantine Village Council members have voted a second time against signing an application for a permit from Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy to relocate water lines under the U.S. 131 Business Route bridge. The relocation is the first step for a proposed Michigan Department of Transportation rehabilitation of the bridge. Council members had voted against signing the …

The city of Sturgis recently received an update regarding a group of turkey vultures near Galyn Drive on the city’s southeast side. The presence of the birds was deemed a nuisance by those in the neighborhood and was a potential health hazard, with the elevated amount of bird waste present in the area. City commission members have authorized the purchase …

Rooster is a neutered, two to three year old male, 60 lbs. He is a very nice boy but has an aversion to other small animals. No cats or bunnies allowed!   He is at the St. Joseph County Animal Control Shelter located at 652 E. Main St., Centreville, MI.  Animal Control is open Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m.– 4:30 p.m., …

Centreville Public Schools will continue to use a virtual-learning platform through the balance of 2020. During a special board meeting Tuesday, board of education members agreed to move the return of in-person learning to Jan. 4. The district had originally scheduled in-person learning to resume Wednesday this week. Superintendent Stephanie Lemmer said staffing factors were an issue, noting four teachers …

In the wake of early-retirement incentives and other personnel moves, St. Joseph County officials now have a clearer picture of potential staffing needs in 2021. The issue garnered significant discussion during the county board’s executive committee meeting Wednesday. County administrator Teresa Doehring said about 25 employees were eligible for the early-retirement incentive and 10 took advantage of the opportunity. With …