The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this afternoon will stage a public hearing on the county’s 2017 budget. Two other matters of new business appear on the agenda for the 5 o’clock meeting: Economic Development Corporation’s annual report and bids for work related to courthouse entry doors. In addition, commissioners are expected to handle a nomination to the county’s …

Alcohol is believed to be a factor in a car-bicycle accident last week in Fabius Township. Sheriff’s officials said 34-year-old James Gould of Three Rivers was bicycling east on Hoffman Road around 6 p.m. Wednesday when his bike was struck from behind by a vehicle driven by 73-year-old Fabius Township resident Larry Campbell, according to investigators. The incident occurred just …

What appears to be a brief meeting awaits Mayor Tom Lowry and the Three Rivers City Commission this evening. The only items of business appear under the consent agenda. The items include police department monthly report for October, library board minutes of September and October, and change orders related to Broadway Street railroad signalization and sanitary sewer relocation at Metal …

White Pigeon Community Schools this evening is staging the third of three community forums related to next year’s renewal for a sinking-fund millage. Superintendent Jon Keyer said the 6:30 p.m. session at the high school library serves as a follow-up to the Oct. 24 and Nov. 16 forums, during which ideas for the 3-mill renewal were identified. A steering committee …

Rosie Lee Betts, age 83, of Three Rivers, formerly of Chicago, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, Dec. 4th, 2016 at her home surrounded by her loving family.  She was born on March 6, 1933 in Jefferson County, MS.; the daughter of the late Henry and Henretta (Carter) Martin. Rosie was born and raised in Jefferson Co., Miss.  …

Duane D. Frisbie, age 96, of Colon, passed away Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, at Community Health Center of Branch County in Coldwater. Duane was born Aug. 11, 1920, at a home west of Colon, to James and Mabel (Blenman) Frisbie. He was the youngest of six children. After returning from the Army, Duane married Dorothy Hargreave Groth. She had two …

The October unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased by four-tenths of a percent compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 3.9 percent October unemployment rate was more than September’s 3.5 percent. October’s unemployment rate was six-tenths of a percent higher than the same month …

The St. Joseph County United Way is staging another “Celebrity Waiter Night” fundraiser. The latest benefit takes place this evening at Frankie’s in Three Rivers. Between 5:30 and 8:30, 10 notable residents will serve as wait staff and all tips provided during the three-hour window will go to the Centreville-based agency. The celebrities are: Matt Lori, Tom and Keri Bringman, …

A celebrity in the world of literature shared stories of happiness, comedy and sadness during an appearance Saturday at White Pigeon Township Library. More than 70 people were on hand to meet Elizabeth Berg, whose most-recent book, “Make Someone Happy,” was the main focus of her presentation. Berg started the event by reading an excerpt from her highly regarded, “The …

Jeff Jackson, age 50, of Colon, passed away unexpectedly at his home, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. Jeff was born Dec. 30, 1965, in Elgin, Ill., a son to the late Clyde and Mildred (Fredericks) Jackson. He had lived most all of his life in the Colon area, where he was a self employed carpenter. On July 27, 1993, he married …