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Thanks to a record-shattering late February and early March Arctic blast, ice cover on the Great Lakes is now the most widespread in 35 years, and nearing an all-time record. According to an analysis by NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor, ice cover peaked at 92.2 percent of the Great Lakes on March 6. In records dating …

Legislation that could make it easier for telephone companies to end landline service has been approved by the Michigan House of Representatives. The bill removes the role of the Michigan Public Service Commission in any effort by a phone company in abandoning a local exchange. Instead, the bill leaves the regulatory role up to the Federal Communications Commission. The Senate-approved …

The St. Joseph County Road Commission has announced seasonal weight restrictions are in effect on routes not designated all-season roads. As a result, multiple-axle vehicles must reduce the weight of their loads and adhere to speed restrictions when traveling on non-all-season roads. The seasonal restriction does not apply to passenger cars or pickup trucks. The measure is in place to …

Researchers at Michigan State University say tourism spending in Michigan was strong in 2013 and is poised for another robust year in 2014. Dan McCole and Sarah Nicholls, of MSU’s Department of Community Sustainability presented their annual report today (Monday) at the Pure Michigan Governor’s Conference in Traverse City. The MSU researchers say factors fueling the upswing include an improving …

The Home Builders Association of Michigan is confident in its prediction of another good year for residential home construction. There was a 28-percent year-to-year increase for single-family home permits in the state for 2013. And it’s predicted that there will be a 20-percent jump this year when all is said and done. Hillan Homes President Patrick Raye says his business …

The village of Centreville has announced it is seeking nominations for its annual Citizen of the Year recipient. Candidates are typically chosen based on their community standing and involvement. Committee members ask that nominations also include details about organizations, hobbies and other factors to consider in selecting the citizen of the year. Nominations should be made in writing and delivered …

The grand reopening of Curly’s in downtown Colon was met with an enthusiastic and steady crowd throughout the course of the day Thursday. A line of patrons had formed by the time the newly rebuilt restaurant and bar opened at 11 a.m. Co-owner Kathy Earl said business was steady all day. Many guests, she said, expressed their best wishes for …

State Rep. Matt Lori has commended the Michigan House of Representatives for approving a package of bills to remove the word “retarded” and various iterations from Michigan state law. The eight-bill package, including Lori’s House Bill 5345, puts Michigan in line with all but six other states that have removed the word from their law books. Lori, who serves on …

The Animal Rescue Fund of St. Joseph County has announced the date of its annual Dinner Auction, the agency’s largest fundraiser of the year. The event will be March 22 at Belle Époque in downtown Three Rivers. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. with a live auction starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at Beam Sound and …

Michigan’s memorable winter is about to set another record. Currently, more than 90.5% of the Great Lakes are ice-covered. That’s the most ice cover in 34 years. In 1979, there was 94.7% ice cover, the largest ever recorded by scientists. Jia Wang, a research ice climatologist for the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor, told the Detroit Free …