News

Kalamazoo County Household Hazardous Waste facility will be open Saturday. Through an agreement with Kalamazoo County, St. Joseph County residents are able to patronize the drop-off site at no cost. The collection center is open just one Saturday a month, in addition to Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays weekly. Hours this weekend are from 8 a.m. to noon. Items accepted at …

Four area school districts are asking their taxpayers to weigh in on bond proposals today. Sturgis Public Schools, St. Joseph County’s largest school district, is pitching a $98 million bond proposal. If passed, the proposal will extend a current bond with no increase in taxes, according to district officials. Superintendent Art Ebert said the district is nearing the end of …

Colon Community Schools is asking its registered voters to continue the district’s sinking-fund millage for an additional eight years. District officials said the sinking fund – initially OK’d in 2019 – supports long-term building repairs, renovations and safety improvements. The current millage rate of 1.2906 mills would be renewed if today’s request is supported. If the millage is approved, the …

Vicksburg Community School District, which extends into northern St. Joseph County, is asking voters to pass a $64.1 million bond. If approved, the bond would levy 3.83 mills in 2026. The millage rate would be replacing mills that are expiring, so voters would not see a net increase in their tax rate, according to assistant superintendent Steve Goss. Goss said …

In Branch County, Coldwater Community Schools district voters will decide on a $64 million bond proposal focused on modernizing the nearly 70-year-old Coldwater High School. According to district officials, the initiative seeks to fund a new 62,000-square-foot wing featuring updated science labs and a media center, while also addressing infrastructure needs such as replacing leaking roofs and installing the school’s …

Three Rivers municipal officials have provided details regarding the city’s annual spring cleanup. Dumpsters will be available at various neighborhoods throughout the community, starting today through Thursday. Locations vary daily and are available on the city’s website: threeriversmi.org. The Dumpsters will be available from dawn to dusk. Dumpsters will also be available through Saturday in the city’s West Parking Lot. …

A Portage financial institution is hosting a “Shred Your Stuff” event this week. Lake Michigan Credit Union is hosting the free service 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at its branch on West Centre Avenue. Event organizers said they will accept up to six boxes of papers. Anyone dropping off papers to shred will be asked to remain in their vehicle …

Cass County Road Commission has information related to upcoming roadwork in Howard and Pokagon townships. Michigan Department of Transportation plans to widen shoulders, install curve-warning signs, add center rumble strips and perform guardrail upgrades starting May 18 on M-51 between White Street in Howard Township and Crystal Springs Street in Pokagon Township. Traffic will likely be narrowed to one lane …

The mayor of Three Rivers is hoping for more money in the city’s budget to be allocated to the city’s police department to increase staffing and to raise officer wages. WWMT-TV has reported that Mayor Angel Johnston posted a video on YouTube expressing her thoughts on the matter. Johnston is encouraging residents to show up May 19 to a public …

The U.S. Small Business Administration has made low-interest federal disaster loans available for those affected by the March 6th tornadoes. According to federal officials, loans are available for businesses, nonprofits and residents. The SBA also issued a disaster declaration Monday following a request by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The declaration covers eight counties, including St. Joseph, Cass and Branch. Residents in …