News

A longstanding tradition in Three Rivers returns next week, as the Three Rivers Woman’s Club is offering its annual “Walk the Bridges of Three Rivers.” The 11th walk takes place 9 a.m. to noon Monday, with day-of registration available at Scidmore Park. There will also be a bake sale, and Mike King of the Weenie King hot dog stand will …

A motorcyclist was injured following a crash earlier this week in Branch County’s Bethel Township. Michigan State Police troopers were called around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to an area on U.S. 12 near Wildlife Road. Details of the crash were not mentioned in an agency media release. The driver was airlifted to Bronson Methodist Hospital.

Here’s an updated listing of St. Joseph County Fresh Food Distribution events for September. The first event of the month will be at 4 p.m. Sept. 14 in Centreville at Seventh Day Adventist Church. Next, Gateway Village Apartments in Sturgis will be the site of a distribution at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 16. Two additional events will take place Sept. 16. …

State Rep. Steve Carra is seeking dismissal of Liza Estlund Olson as acting director of the state’s Unemployment Insurance Agency. Olson replaced former Director Steve Gray, who resigned in November 2020. Carra said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s unilateral lockdown orders forced hard-working people to seek unemployment assistance, but they were met with an agency unprepared for the task at hand. A …

A federal judge on Tuesday blocked Western Michigan University from enforcing a COVID-19 vaccine requirement against four female soccer players, ruling they are likely to prevail on claims it violates their constitutional religious rights. District Judge Paul Maloney in Grand Rapids, however, denied a motion by an employee who challenged Michigan State University’s broader vaccination mandate. He issued the temporary restraining …

State Sen. Kim LaSata on Wednesday announced L.A.’s Coffee Cafe in Three Rivers as the next recipient of her Small Business of the Month award. L.A.’s Coffee Cafe was founded in 2000 by Leslie, Jerry and Aimee Robbins. The family opened up shop in an old pump house above the Rocky River, and their business has grown into a staple of the …

A horse in Livingston County was recently diagnosed with Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Additionally, EEE-positive mosquitos have been identified in Barry County, according to the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. Officials said the cases highlight the need for both horse owners and Michigan residents in general to take safeguards against the disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes to animals and people. It …

The 2021-22 academic year got underway Monday at Glen Oaks Community College and school officials said it has about 1,000 students enrolled, up 2 percent from the first day of class in 2020. Preliminary figures show enrollment for traditional students is up, with 611 students at 63 percent while 365 high-school students comprise 37 percent of the student-body total. College officials …

Sturgis Toy Run officials said the annual ride around St. Joseph County will not be held this year. The cancellation marks the second consecutive year the Sturgis Toy Run is not taking place. Traditionally staged the Saturday after Labor Day, the Toy Run is an opportunity for motorcyclists to bring toys and money to purchase items for children in need …

Riverside Church in Three Rivers held a Prayer Drive last week, stopping at several sites to pray for the community. Pastor Paul Booko said the event started outside Riverside, where those who gathered prayed for their neighborhood and neighborhoods throughout St. Joseph County. Booko said it was important to spread prayers throughout the county. In addition, participants sang “God of …