News

The Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority welcomed more than 10 new businesses in 2011 and was awarded a façade grant for two downtown buildings. Christy Trammell, DDA director, recently provided the annual report to the Three Rivers City Commission. Trammell said noteworthy achievements in 2011 included the establishment of a local historic district, a retail incubator program called Project Start …

Cass County Sheriff Joe Underwood Jr. has announced his office is participating in the National Prescription Drug “Take Back” program. The collection will take place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 28. The event allows people the opportunity to drop off expired and unused medication at a number of locations in Cass County, including Marcellus Township Hall. People who cannot …

A pair of Florence Township residents was charged with methamphetamine-related offenses following a search of their residence Friday last week. Mike Klechak, 38, and Susan Lough, 37, were charged with operating and maintaining a meth lab, police said. A tip led investigators to the residence, in the 21000 block of Mintdale Road. Armed with a search warrant, police entered the …

Mike King, proprietor of the Weenie Kings push-cart hot dog stand, said he has decided to keep his business in the parking lot at Harding’s grocery store on West Michigan Avenue for the rest of the season. After the Three Rivers Public Library Board earlier this year evicted King from his five-year location at the Three Rivers Public Library parking …

The former National Guard Armory in Three Rivers will be the new site of a Three Rivers-based company. Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners last week agreed to rezone the property from residential to general industry for MVP Improvements. Located at 900 E. Hoffman St., the parcel will allow MVP Improvements to operate in a larger space. Founded by ex-employees from …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department was called to Mottville Township over the weekend in response to a business alarm. At 4 a.m. Sunday, an alarm at the Marathon gas station on U.S. 12 was activated. Upon arrival, investigators found a front window had been smashed out. It appears there was no entry made into the business, officials said. The …

St. Joseph County experienced an unemployment drop of seven-tenths of a percent from January to February. The monthly report from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget Analysis shows February’s unemployment rate in the county was 9.2 percent. The figure was also a decrease from the county’s unemployment rate in February 2011, which was 11 percent. St. Joseph County’s …

Voters in White Pigeon Community Schools may now obtain an absentee ballot for the May 8 millage renewal sought by White Pigeon Community Schools. The 780-student district is seeking renewal of a 3-mill sinking fund for five years. If approved, the $5 million generated as a result will allow the district to continue building, infrastructure and technology upgrades. The original …

The Michigan Department of Transportation is asking motorists to use caution the next two weekends, as almost 3,200 volunteer groups across the state will be picking up litter through the agency’s Adopt-A-Highway program. Volunteers the next two Saturdays will be scattered along more than 7,200 miles of state highways and roadways during the first of three pickups this year. The …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners has tabled a matter regarding a public hearing on a millage renewal in support of the E-911 Central Dispatch operation. Commissioners during Tuesday’s meeting agreed that further research into the agency’s long-term needs and projected expenses should be evaluated before authorizing a public hearing on the potential millage request. E911 director Jon Uribe was …