Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week approved a motion to allow the head of the Commission On Aging to sign off on apartment leases. Commissioners granted COA director Tim Stoll signatory authorization for leases at the Rivers Enrichment Center and Residence, the former Three Rivers Inn that is being converted to a 46-unit residence for …

Edwin G. Austin (“Ed”), age 55, of Kalamazoo, made his transition from this life on Saturday, July 20, 2019. Ed was born on February 22, 1964, to Edwin R. and Mary J. (Carney) Austin. He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Daniel B. Austin; his father Edwin R. Austin; and his mother Mary J. (Carney) Austin. Ed is …

The Southern Michigan Invasive Species Team is presenting a wildlife-habitat management workshop this weekend. The three-hour program starts at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Kinderhook Township Hall in Branch County and then continues at Coldwater State Park. Event organizer Jared Harmon said the workshop will cover topics that include invasive-species management and identification, as well as wildlife habitat restoration management techniques …

An Illinois teen was injured as a result of a tubing accident last weekend on Cass County’s Shavehead Lake. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called just after 4:30 p.m. Sunday to the Porter Township lake. Family members told deputies a 15-year-old boy from Orland Park was tubing when he and his friend fell off the tube. The victim was …

Three Rivers officers last week recovered a motorcycle reported stolen Aug. 4 from a residence in the Meadow Lane Trailer Park. According to a department media release, friends of the victim subsequently noticed the motorcycle Wednesday at Edgewater Apartments. As the friends inquired about the motorcycle, the suspect got on the two-wheeler and sped away. Officers were made aware that …

Century Bank and Trust branches in St. Joseph County are collecting school supplies through the month of August in hopes of stuffing 48 backpacks. The goal is to distribute the backpacks to area schools who have students in need as the school year gets under way later this month. The bank has locations in Three Rivers, Nottawa and Sturgis.

Here’s a weekly update from the Michigan Department of Transportation regarding the U.S. 131 redevelopment project. Stage 2 traffic pattern remains in place, as two-way traffic continues in the area of the M-60 junction as well as in the area of Hoffman Road at the north end of the project. Meanwhile, road-building remains ongoing at William R. Monroe Boulevard, where …

An Indiana man suffered a head injury after he was involved in a single-vehicle accident over the weekend in Cass County’s Porter Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called at 1:20 a.m. Saturday to the 69000 block of South River Road. Investigators said Joshua Lee Austin, 34, of Hudson, was driving south on South River Road when he failed …

Volunteers supporting the St. Joseph County Conservation District recovered a sizable amount of debris from the St. Joseph River during Saturday’s cleanup. The three-plus-mile route started at Jacksonburg Road in Leonidas Township and concluded at M-66. Event coordinator Shaun Grace said eight tires, portions of a hunting blind, a deteriorating kids pool, several bottles and cans, and an odd assortment …

The Three Rivers Health Foundation announced its 2019 fundraising campaign. Hospital officials said the drive will target the purchase of two pieces of medical equipment in support of helping to advance Three Rivers Health – inclusive of a laparoscopic piece for surgeries and an echo cardio ultrasound system. David Casterline, Executive Director of the Three Rivers Health Foundation, points out …