Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners on Tuesday unanimously agreed to issue an Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption Certificate to American Axle Manufacturing. The measure means the Detroit-based company will continue with its $102 million investment in its Three Rivers plant, where expansion will include a line to create components for a passenger/crossover vehicle being developed and introduced by a …

  Sturgis Public Schools was the recipient of a $37,000 gift from the estate of Winifred Chipman. The donation was made in 1994 and pledged at the time to the Sturgis Community Schools Council. The council no longer exists, so district officials agreed to have the money split three ways, with nearly $14,900 each going to Sturgis Public Schools and …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has issued a press release indicating a potential increase in reports of bedbugs. The agency said bedbugs typically attach themselves to luggage, clothing or other items, and the means of transportation help them travel from a warmer climate into a colder host site. Bedbugs are not known to carry diseases, but they can be …

Ron Reed, President and CEO of Century Bank and Trust, is pleased to announce the promotion of Dylan M. Foster to First Vice President of Century Bank and Trust. “Dylan’s promotion is in recognition of his dedication to growing Century’s Trust and Investment Management Group while keeping the client’s best interest at heart,” stated Reed. With over ten years of …

Marlene L. Case, 75, of Three Rivers, and a former resident of Sturgis, joined Jesus in heaven Saturday evening, Jan. 14, 2012, at her home, with her family and friends at her side. She was born Nov. 27, 1937, in Kalamazoo, a daughter of the late Elmer and Mary Etta (Armour) Cox. Marlene had resided in Three Rivers for the …

DeAnn Hollis has been quoted as saying, “The heart of a volunteer is not measured in size, but by the depth of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others.” I am a strong supporter of the act of volunteering. I volunteer as often as I can and wish that I could do more, but my plate …

Sheriff Brad Balk reports that the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department responded to a complaint of a breaking and entering of the Nottawa Township Library between 1 p.m. Sunday and 8.30 a.m. Monday. According to a department news release, suspects made entry from the rear of the building by smashing a window. Investigators found that a web camera and four …

The Three Rivers Fire Department is offering a limited number of seats to the public for its upcoming medical first-responder course. The class will meet 6 to 10 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, and at an unspecified time on an occasional Saturday at the station. Chief Dan Tomlinson said the course is a good public-service opportunity for people interested in pursuing …

Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners tonight have scheduled a public hearing on a tax-exemption request being made by American Axle Manufacturing. The company is seeking exemption status on nearly $83 million of a $102 million investment in machinery and building improvements being proposed at its Three Rivers plant. A 12-year exemption is being sought by American Axle, the …

A body found in southwestern Michigan in October has been identified as that of one of two missing men linked to a man authorities say was found with a bloody mattress in the back of a pickup truck.  The Kalamazoo Gazette and the Battle Creek Enquirer report authorities announced Monday that the body found in Kalamazoo County’s Brady Township was …