County Information

The Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees adopted the college’s 2013-2014 operating budget during its June 17 meeting held on the Dowagiac campus. The budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 is a balanced budget of $22,824,000. Board Chairman Dr. Fred L. Mathews said, “Southwestern Michigan College has adopted a structurally balanced budget each and every year since the …

Construction of a nearly five-mile, two-lane US-131 bypass of Constantine – a project that began on February 4th – continues to move forward with a target of completion in November 2013. The project – with an $18 million price tag – includes a new, 870-foot bridge over the St. Joseph River near Riverside Drive, on the southwest side of the …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has endorsed submission of the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) FY 2014-2016 Multi-Year Plan to the Michigan Commission on Services to the Aging for final review and approval. The action came Tuesday (June 18) following a presentation by Laura Sutter, AAA Coordinator with the Branch-St. Joseph Area Agency on Aging (IIIC) housed with …

The Three Rivers City Commission has set Friday, July 12 at noon as the deadline for persons interested in filling the vacancy created by the resignation of At-Large Commissioner David York to submit a Citizen Interest Form to the City Clerk’s office. The determination came Tuesday evening (June 18), the final meeting for York who is moving to Lockport Township …

The Fabius Township Environmental and Wetlands Protection Advisory Committee is staging a spring seminar this weekend. Committee officials said two presenters and environmental specialists will be on hand. Department of Natural Resources wildlife specialist Ken Keeson will present the program “Planting Native Grasses for Shoreline Development,” while Patty Hoch-Melluish will lead “Healthy Lakes,” a program on the benefits and how-to …

The City of Three Rivers is continuing to work with Custom Mechanical Contractors of Middleville, MI to replace residential water meters throughout the City. They work  for one month (Wednesday thru Friday each week) in a district, and move to another district for the next month. They are currently working in first district. They will start their second month of …

The Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education has adopted the 2013-2014 Preliminary Budget for the new fiscal year beginning July 1. The action came Monday evening (June 17) following a public hearing during which there were no citizen comments. The budget projects revenues of $23,781,274 and expenditures of $24, 656,659, thus showing a revenue shortfall of $875,386. The resolution …

Weather played a critical role in Saturday’s closing day of the 57th Three Rivers Water Festival. Intermittent rain showers Saturday forced Water Festival organizers to call off the event-ending entertainment and fireworks programs. Deb Herring, head of the Water Festival Planning Committee, said the fireworks show needed a period of time Saturday to plan and coordinate its display, and the …

A 60-year-old White Pigeon man was charged with felony discharge of a firearm following an incident Thursday in White Pigeon Township. State police officials said troopers were called to a residential unit in the River Forest Trailer Park regarding a shot fired around 8:45 p.m. A media release stated the man fired a .45-caliber rifle into the ground to stop …

Two teenagers and a 12-year-old were injured after they were involved in a head-on collision at 11 a.m. Friday on U.S. 12 near Balk Road in Sturgis Township. According to a media release, 17-year-old Trent Harker was driving west on U.S. 12 when he attempted to pass a vehicle and was met by an eastbound car. Harker swerved off the …