Business

Three Rivers city officials said they expect Scidmore Park playground to reopen this weekend after a five-day undertaking to improve the playground surface. Assistant Engineer Merritt Brown said the task involved removing the entire covering of wood chips and replacing the surface area with crumb rubber. Work started Monday and has involved a number of volunteers. Brown said Jamie Clark, …

Officials from Indiana Michigan Power said they expect to conclude annual maintenance at its Constantine hydroelectric facility at some point today. The reservoir level was lowered by one foot earlier this week but is expected to be fully restored by the end of the day. Its normal operating level is 783 feet above sea level.

A nitrogen fertilizer spill in Florence Township Wednesday afternoon resulted in the leakage of 90 gallons of fertilizer. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the incident occurred on Engle Road, just north of Featherstone Road. Officials said a tank was being pulled by a tractor when a weld broke. A level-gauge device snapped off when the tank dropped to …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is appealing to the public for help regarding the theft of copper wire from an irrigation system. Shortly after noon on June 9, deputies were called to a field at Strawser and Dickenson Roads in White Pigeon Township regarding larceny of irrigation center-pivot-span cables. Investigators said two, 120-foot-span cables from the pivot were stolen.

James Baker, manager of the Three Rives Clean Water Plant, said employees discovered a foam-over from one of the treated biosolids tanks early Saturday. Baker said crews reacted immediately and deployed drain blockers to prevent discharge into storm sewers. An estimated 38 gallons entered into the storm sewer and more than 2,700 gallons spilled around the west side of the …

Sturgis police are investigating a vandalism incident that occurred over the weekend at Augspurger Tennis Courts. A department news release states sometime between 10:30 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday, someone spray-painted graffiti on two sides of a building as well as two hit-back walls. A tarp and other coverings were used to shield spray-painted profanity from the public’s view. …

Three Rivers municipal officials on Monday issued a public thank-you to the city of Sturgis for its help with cleanup efforts from the 2012 Water Festival. According to a Three Rivers news release, after the city’s street sweeper failed to operate over the weekend, Three Rivers DPS crews turned to their counterparts in Sturgis for assistance. Sturgis sent its own …

The second “Generate Sturgis” event, where residents with unique and practical business ideas pitch their concepts to city officials, drew four contestants last week. After hearing each idea, judges award first- and second-place cash winnings. Marcia Drake received $1,250 for her concept of a business that makes gift baskets comprised of items purchased locally. Drake told judges that items in …

Here’s some road-construction information on two projects in St. Joseph County. The first matter comes from the Michigan Department of Transportation, which has announced a lane shift on M-86 at Industrial Drive in Centreville through 5 p.m. today. One lane will be open in each direction while crews make repairs to a water main. The other project involves the St. …

The Three Rivers City Commission on Tuesday approved a $15,000 bid for a new mower and deck. The low bid was received from Three Rivers-based Fillmore Equipment. City officials said the majority of the cost will be covered by the municipality’s insurance company, as the previous mower caught fire and was damaged beyond repair.