Government

Three Rivers City Commission members this evening are scheduled to hear results of a Community Development Block Grant. Officials from American Axle will share a variety of details, including the fact that the facility grew by 149 positions – more than the projected 100 jobs. Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners are also expected to approve a consent agenda that includes …

Members of the Cassopolis School Board of Education recently took an in-depth look at plans related to the district’s long-term facilities plans. It appears the district is likely to put before voters a $42.2 million proposal, requiring support of the district’s registered voters, who could be asked in May next year whether to support a no-millage-increase bond. Proposed projects discussed …

Here’s a reminder that St. Joseph County United Way is in the midst of its annual coat drive. The public is invited to drop off new or gently used coats. In addition, the agency is collecting new or gently used boots and gloves. New items can be dropped off at the Centreville-based agency between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Used …

St. Joseph County United Way has issued a reminder that its annual Christmas Cash Raffle is about a week away from being awarded. The drawing takes place at 6 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Sturgis City Commission meeting. Tickets for the 50/50 drawing are $5 each. They are available at the United Way office, from Sturgis municipal employees and through …

White Pigeon Township Library Director Perri Saunders said unveiling of the agency’s new Bookmobile will be at 1:30 Saturday afternoon at the library. Following a two-year fundraiser, the library’s $185,000 goal was met in September. Saunders said the library is still accepting donations and hosting periodic fundraisers for bookmobile support. Graphics have been added to the truck and trailer, and …

Here’s a look at December’s Fresh Food Distributions in St. Joseph County. Seventh-Day Adventist Church, east of Centreville on M-86, hosts the first distribution. It starts at 4 p.m. Dec. 10. Meanwhile, First Presbyterian Church on Lakeview Avenue in Sturgis will oversee the following distribution. It is scheduled for 4 p.m. Dec. 12. Two distributions occur Dec. 19. The first …

Burr Oak Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting “Christmas in Burr Oak,” coming up this weekend. It takes place 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday and features face painting, wagon rides, deck-the-house event, live music and a tree-lighting ceremony. Activities will be centered in the village’s downtown area.

Happy start to meteorological winter! Today marks the coldest start to December since 2010! Is this a sign of what’s to come? Well, there are no strong signals for this December, but temperatures are favored to be slightly colder than usual. There are equal chances that December could be drier, wetter, or near normal in regards to precipitation.  (NWS)

Three Kalamazoo County residents were injured after their pickup was involved in a one-vehicle crash last weekend in Branch County’s Girard Township. Sheriff’s deputies were called at 7:30 a.m. Sunday to southbound I-69, near Dayburg Road. Investigators said 70-year-old Kalamazoo resident Dennis Bates told authorities he fell asleep while driving. His vehicle crossed the median and entered the northbound lanes …

A Coldwater man faces charges related to child pornography following a five-month investigation. Branch County District Court officials said Kenneth Traver, 44, is charged with four counts of aggravated possession of child sexually abusive material; two counts of using a computer to commit a crime; and one count of aggravated child sexually abusive activity. Michigan State Police troopers were made …