News

St. Joseph County Commission on Aging may be forced to raise monthly rent of its tenants at Rivers Enrichment Center in Three Rivers to cover an unexpected hike in utilities. COA director Pam Riley told commissioners during their executive committee meeting Wednesday that the cost for water and sewer services from the city of Three Rivers is expected to increase …

St. Joseph County Commission on Aging Executive Director Pam Riley brought up the issue of security deposits and a separate pet deposit during the county’s executive committee meeting Wednesday. Riley said both are on her radar in light of recent events. Riley said 14 residents have pets, which are limited to cats and dogs only. She said the COA facility …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a larceny that occurred last month in Park Township. According to a department media release, the incident took place in the 57000 block of Silver Street between 6 p.m. Aug. 24 and 10 a.m. Aug. 25. Approximately 20 metric Craftsman wrenches, ranging in size from 9mm. to 17mm., and a 12-volt car battery, were …

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 …