News

Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates increased in all of Michigan’s 17 major labor market areas in June, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Total employment and labor force levels rose in most regions in June. “Workforce and employment levels in most Michigan regions expanded in June as summer and seasonal hiring continued,” said Rick Waclawek, director of …

Over 60 people came out July 21 to the second annual Stroller Roll to support the local early childhood fund. Many adults brought their children in strollers while others came out to run competitively. The funds raised will support the Early Childhood Implementation Fund held at the Sturgis Area Community Foundation. These dollars support preschool scholarships for at risk three …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency – in conjunction with Governor Rick Snyder’s declaration of August as Breastfeeding Awareness Month – is sponsoring a Hats Off to Breastfeeding Campaign. All breastfeeding mothers and their children are invited to participate in a fun, free “photo session” with the latest fashion hit for breastfeeding babes – Nursing Hat Covers, a fashion craze …

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Jamie Clover Adams Wednesday (July 25) applauded the quick action by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack in designating four counties in Southwest Michigan – Branch, Cass, Hillsdale and St. Joseph – as primary natural disaster areas due to the extreme drought conditions facing farmers in those counties. Additionally, …

Three Rivers Health will host a Health Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 25. Food, Health, Art and Fun will be ingredients of the event. For additional information – including a vendor registration form for booth space at the fair – visit the Three Rivers Health website at www.threerivershealth.org.

The White Pigeon Rotary Club, celebrating its 50th year of service, participated in the White Pigeon Days Parade on July 13th. White Pigeon Rotary reached a milestone by reaching $50,000 in college scholarships awarded to White Pigeon High School graduates this spring in the club’s golden anniversary year.

The City of Three Rivers has rescinded the burn ban declared on June 27. That’s the word from Fire Chief Dan Tomlinson of the Three Rivers Fire Department (TRFD) who said, “Surface weather data has finally fallen below high-risk levels.” In announcing the lifting of the ban on burning, Tomlinson noted the city’s household burning ordinance and said the fine …

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has announced TWO road closures in the WLKM listening area: • There will be a total closure of M-60 from M-62 to Calvin Center Road in Cassopolis (Cass County) from 5 p.m. Monday, August 6, through 8 p.m. Friday, August 24, for CN Railroad track reconstruction. Detour routes will be posted. • There will …

The mansard roof of the Bonine House tower is being restored to its former Second Empire glory. The contractor is Dale Layman of Layman Construction, known by many as the manager of Pokagon’s Old Rugged Cross Church reconstruction. Terms of the grant from the Michigan Architectural Foundation (matched by URSCC) require that the project be completed by September 1, 2012 …

The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging (COA) has approved a new, five-year lease with the City of Three Rivers for the Three Rivers Community Center. The Community Center, located at 103 South Douglas Avenue, has been the headquarters for the COA in recent years and that will continue until at least 2017 with authorization given last week (July 18) …