Registration for the use of golf carts in Constantine was delayed because stickers to validate registration were not received by July 6, the date the ordinance was to take effect. During last month’s village council meeting, village manager Mark Honeysett said the stickers were received July 10 and he has since issued four permits. The ordinance, which requires a $ …

I have received encouragement for this column almost daily from readers like yourselves. Many people have been following what is happening in downtown Three Rivers, and want to believe in a positive change. The revitalization work we are doing is important, and I believe someday soon, its results will exceed expectations. But, it’s easy for me to say that, and …

Diana L. Bergakker, age 71, of Constantine, passed away on Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Borgess-Pipp Hospital in Plainwell. She was born May 27, 1946 in Sturgis, a daughter of Harold and Ruth (Church) Preston, Sr.  Diana attended school in Constantine. On November 15, 1985 she married Matt D. Burgakker in Centreville. Diana retired from Crocker Ltd. in Three Rivers …

June’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was one-tenth of a percent lower than the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s 3.8 percent June unemployment rate marked a decrease from May’s 3.9 percent. St. Joseph County was below the state unemployment average, which was 4 percent in June. …

Seven people were arrested in downtown Three Rivers on drug-related charges following an investigation by local and county drug officers last week. According to a sheriff’s department media release, investigators with the Three Rivers Police Department and the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit secured a warrant and at 2 a.m. Friday, entered a residence at 13 N. Main St. …

An outbreak of whooping cough has struck up to 30 people in St. Joseph County, largely in the Amish community. Val Newton, prevention services director for the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, announced details of the outbreak last week. Because of recent gatherings for weddings and church meetings among the Amish community, Newton said she is concerned the cold-like disease could …

Coral Ann Williams, age 66, of Sturgis passed away on Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Heartland Healthcare Center. She was born in Sturgis, MI on February 5, 1951 the daughter of John W. and Pauline (Graham) Harter. Coral leaves to cherish her loving memory, children, John Ivins of Three Rivers and Kimberly (Adam) Huskey of Centreville; siblings, John (Barb) Harter …

Freight trains that once irritated South Bend residents with warning horns are disturbing their peace once again after years of relative silence. Locomotives began sounding their horns last weekend along a stretch of the Grand Trunk Western Railroad on the northern Indiana city’s east side. Joseph Araman tells the South Bend Tribune that passing locomotives are now beeping their horns …

A breaking-and-entering incident at a Constantine Township residence was investigated this week. State police said troopers were called around 10 p.m. Wednesday to the 11000 block of North River Road. The victim told authorities the break-in occurred between 1 p.m. Saturday and 8 p.m. Wednesday. Items taken include a plastic tote and a clam ice shanty. Authorities have not stated …

Members of the White Pigeon Collaborative Team, a group of community volunteers looking to improve the village, is pursuing a bingo night as a fundraiser toward development of a sidewalk. The proposed sidewalk would extend from the village limit to an area near U.S. 131. During the group’s monthly meeting last week, members agreed such an event would require at …