Some minor but important changes to the county’s fund-balance designations were made by commissioners Tuesday. Finance director Joni Smith said one of the two moves provides assurance that the county won’t have to borrow money when treasurer Judie Ratering conducts the annual delinquent-tax process. The delinquent-tax process needs $6 million every year to cash flow itself, Smith said, so keeping …

Organizers of the Three Rivers Water Festival said an opportunity to save money on armbands for rides at next week’s event is available for another week. Rides and games require tickets purchased at the midway site in the West City parking lot at a cost of $18 per person. Advanced sales for the armband tickets are available for $15 until …

State Rep. Aaron Miller said this coming Saturday and Sunday is Free Fishing Weekend in Michigan, and he urges people to join by casting a line in a local lake, pond or river. Miller said the Michigan Department of Natural Resources waives all fishing-license fees during Free Fishing Weekend so residents and out-of-staters alike can experience the joy of fishing …

I spent nine years working for a Japanese freight forwarder in Chicago. During those nine years, I was able to become familiar with the Japanese language, but not enough to follow the dialogue in foreign movies featuring Japanese actors. Thank God for movies like MIDWAY, where most of the script was in English. I am also a little familiar with …

Organizers of this past weekend’s Summer Kick-Off at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds remained upbeat despite a wet day Saturday. The annual event included a beer tent, karaoke and a mud run. Tractor and truck pulls scheduled for Saturday were canceled due to the weather. Regarding River Country Has Talent, only three people registered. As a result, they automatically qualified …

The 2015 annual audit and a county millage-rate request are among the items of new business to be fielded this afternoon by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Other matters before the commission include a request for a new position for community corrections, a request to establish an online survey and fund-balance designations. The meeting starts at 5 p.m. …

State Rep. Aaron Miller has called on the Legislature to put the brakes on repealing an $80 million car-insurance-industry tax credit until reform takes place to lower insurance rates. Miller last week voted against House Bills 5457 and 5458, which repeal an inadvertent tax credit given to insurance companies in legislation signed into law in 2012. Miller said he wants …

A public hearing to consider rezoning a property in the 58000 block of U.S. 131 highlights the agenda of today’s Three Rivers City Commission meeting. Other matters before Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners include a public hearing regarding a user-fee ordinance, a bid for the fiscal year 2017 drinking-water chemical bid award, the purchase of a lawn tractor and accessories, …

Walter Raymond “Walt” Neale, age 80, of Three Rivers, died Monday, June 6, 2016 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born in Kalamazoo on Nov. 23, 1935 the son of Thomas and Edith (Beardsley) Neale. He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1953, and later served in the U.S. Navy. Walt was married to Sharon J. Bos …

Charles “Dave” McFall, age 77, of Constantine, passed away March 2, 2016 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo following a short illness. He was born December 16, 1938 in White Pigeon, a son of Charles and Clarabelle (Clark) McFall. Dave graduated from White Pigeon High School in 1957. On December 7, 1985 he married Ruby (Lintz) Roskam at Messiah Lutheran Church …