St Joseph County

State Sen. Bruce Caswell announced he will not seek re-election later this year. The 64-year-old Caswell said his tenure will end Dec. 31. He took over the position from Cameron Brown starting in January 2011. Caswell, a retired superintendent of Pittsford Area Schools, had turned in his petition to run again. However, Caswell said he will withdraw his petition and …

Here’s a reminder that online voting for the People’s Choice continues through Wednesday for the upcoming Dancing With the St. Joseph County Stars event. Event organizer Linda Kline said an award will be presented after Friday’s production to the couple that receives the most online votes for People’s Choice. Voting for the award will continue the day of the event …

Officials from World Fare have announced the Rivers of Justice Film Festival will take place April 4 and 5 in downtown Three Rivers. Kirstin Vander Giessen-Reitsma  said the festival includes three feature-length films at the Riviera Theatre. Banana Land, playing April 4, explores issues of worker and environmental justice in banana-growing regions. On April 5, The House I Live In …

Concerns about the city’s recommendation to leave a trickle of water running as a precaution against frozen pipes were expressed during last week’s Three Rivers City Commission meeting. Residents Jim Everett and Helen Dettmar asked Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners if residents who adhere to the request would be given a break on their water bills. City manager Joe Bippus …

Three Rivers Fire Department Captain Jeff Bloomfield was recognized last week for his efforts in heading the annual Firefighters for Santa program. Chief Dan Tomlinson and members of the city commission saluted Bloomfield, as he was presented with a specially designed fire hat that read “Chief Santa.” The presentation was a surprise to Bloomfield, whose wife, Holley, also surprised him …

The Mendon School Foundation said 35 of the 38 requests submitted for the 2013 program were filled. Bonnie Outman, treasurer of the 10-member foundation board, said the community and its donors deserve thanks and recognition for supporting more than 90 percent of the requests. Funded requests included a variety of gymnasium equipment, field trips, teacher workshops, technology-related items, books and …

Glen Oaks Community College has announced details of Expo ’14, an inaugural event where the community is invited to visit the campus, meet and talk with faculty members, and experience the college through hands-on activities. The free, three-hour event starts at 10 a.m. March 8. Tonya Howden, GOCC director of admissions, said officials with the Centreville-area school hope to raise …

Two vehicles in Mendon Township were burglarized earlier this week. According to a St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department media release, the breaking-and-entering incidents occurred Sunday or Monday in the 23000 block of South Shore Drive. A small amount of loose change was taken from a vehicle; a backpack was stolen from the other.

A detour was set up on Pulver Road last week, as crews prepare to replace the Rocky River bridge. Located between Burlew Road and M-216 in Flowerfield Township, the bridge will be replaced this spring by Allegan County-based Milbocker and Sons. The same company will also be charged with replacing the Floating Bridge Road bridge, also spanning the Rocky River …

Three Rivers city officials have approved the sale of a house that is part of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. During last week’s city commission meeting, final approval was given for the sale of the residence at 516 Eighth St. for $86,000. Mayor Tom Lowry said the sale marks the third residence constructed by the city and sold through the NSP …