County Information

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has agreed to work with an Ohio-based firm to prepare a study of potential locations for a new senior center. As a result of last week’s vote by commissioners, Lifespan Design Studio will evaluate three potential locations for a new Sturgis senior center. The $11,000 approved for the undertaking will provide commissioners opinions …

Three grants were recently funded by the White Pigeon Area Community Foundation. The Richard and Mary Magee Fund awarded $1,000 to the White Pigeon Downtown Revitalization Association. The Adele M. Gray Fund contributed $4,000 to White Pigeon Caring Families. And a proactive grant was made to the Edds  Memorial Fund for a Civil War memorial project at Wahbememe Park. The …

The Three Rivers City Commission last week recommended paving-related expenses for two micro-surfacing projects. Nearly $32,000 was approved for work to be performed on South Douglas Avenue, from West Michigan Avenue to Millard Street, and Sixth Avenue from Wood to Jefferson streets. The $14,900 Douglas Avenue job was a budgeted project; funds from the city’s 2014 fiscal year will be …

A promotional campaign for the locally made movie “The Current – Three Rivers,” began this week. Radio and newspaper spots in support of the full-length feature film started Monday, as the 2-hour, 24-minute film is set to premiere Oct. 18 at the Three Rivers 6 movie complex. Financed by local businessman Tom Meyer and directed by longtime Three Rivers resident …

The Michigan Department of Transportation Southwest Region is holding informational open houses at each of its three Transportation Service Centers this week. MDOT’s Nick Schirripa said TSC staff will be present at each location to discuss project selection, transportation funding, construction projects and other issues. Whether it’s highway and bridge conditions, project types, traffic signals and speed limits, snow removal …

More than 400 motorcycles were part of Saturday’s 30th Sturgis Toy Run procession. Organizers of the annual event said good weather and the occasion of the Toy Run’s milestone contributed to a strong crowd of more than 2,000 people attending the Toy Run after-party at the event’s Kelly Road location in Burr Oak Township. Toy Run Board President Pat Linnan …

Glen Oaks Community College officials have announced a reverse-transfer agreement with Ferris State University. Glen Oaks students who transfer to Ferris prior to receiving their associate’s degree may be eligible to obtain their two-year degree from Glen Oaks by transferring their Ferris credits back to GOCC, as part of the agreement announced last week. Glen Oaks President Gary Wheeler said …

A forum hosted by the Fabius Township Wetlands Committee, will focus on regional efforts to inform area landowners of available tools, programs and financial incentives to protect the area’s remaining wetlands and restore some that have been lost. The forum, entitled “River Country Riches: Landowner Incentives to Preserve Private Wetlands for Regional Benefit,” will take place Sept. 24 at 6:30 …

Officials from the ALDI grocery store chain say ground was broken this last week for the company’s Three Rivers store. Earth-moving equipment was brought to the area of Broadway Road in front of Home Depot, where the 16,400-square-foot store will be constructed. The store, which is one of more than 1,200 in 32 states, is expected to open in early …

State Rep. Matt Lori last week announced a grant to eliminate blight in downtown Dowagiac by funding rehabilitation of a historic building into a movie theater and residential units. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation approved the $171,005 Community Development Block Grant enabling a local firm to rehabilitate the building, located at 115 S. Front St. The building is currently in …