News

A dozen small businesses and nonprofits around Michigan, including a Sturgis-based company, have been awarded a total of $1 million through the Pure Michigan Business Connect COVID-19 Emergency Access and Retooling Grants program. Recipients were announced last week by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which is providing funds to small manufacturers looking to retool and produce critical health and human …

After a two-week shutdown on the U.S. 131 redevelopment project in Three Rivers, crews will return to the construction site today to continue the job, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. Concerns related to the coronavirus prompted the two-week hiatus, though state officials said weather delays would have resulted in a few lost days over the period. With the …

An armed robbery was reported Saturday night at about 9:30 at Northside Beverage, located at 135 North Main Street in Three Rivers. Police say the suspect entered the store while the clerk was in the back office. The suspect went behind the counter and grabbed alcohol and cigarettes, and emptied the cash register. As the clerk came from the back, …

Michigan’s governor said Sunday she was eager to loosen businesses restrictions while also avoiding new flareups of the coronavirus illness that has killed more than 2,300 people in the state. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said a lack of virus testing supplies is delaying such steps but maintains most residents support her actions despite a protest drawing thousands of people to the Michigan Capitol this past …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Friday that she hopes to begin gradually reopening Michigan’s economy on May 1 after weeks of a strict stay-at-home order during the coronavirus crisis that has crippled businesses and caused more than 1 million unemployed people to seek aid. Meanwhile, the number of new virus cases statewide rose 2%, a much slower pace. In Detroit, where nearly 600 …

Gov. Eric Holcomb says his executive stay home order for Indiana that expires Monday will be extended to May 1 as planning is underway to reopen parts of the state’s economy. Holcomb says ideas are being sought from various business sectors on on how they can safely reopen for operators, workers and customers. Meanwhile, state health officials say Indiana’s death …

Three people were seriously injured early Thursday evening in a car/train crash in Cass County’s Marcellus Township. Investigation shows that the 44-year-old driver, Dustin Hooker, a Battle Creek Resident, was driving northbound on Savage Road near Waterstradt Street. As the vehicle approached the railroad crossing, Hooker advised that his brakes failed, resulting in the vehicle colliding with the passing train. …

The St. Joseph County Road Commission has purchased eight flashing stop signs, which will be installed later this year. Locations planned are: • Each of Michigan Avenue’s two, three-way intersections with Silver Street. • Two signs at Shimmel and Featherstone roads. • Two signs at Lutz and Dickinson roads. • Two signs at Bogen Road and South Nottawa Street. The …

Three Rivers Fire Chief Jeff Bloomfield said the department’s Michigan Avenue parking lot has been turned into a campground of sorts, as some firefighters are sleeping in campers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bloomfield explained firefighters are reluctant to return home and risk potentially exposing family members to the disease. He said none of his staff members have tested positive for …

Sheriff’s officials are investigating the theft of a vehicle last week from Park Township. Deputies were called April 9 to an area near Parkville Road and Michigan Avenue, where a vehicle was taken from a field. It was reported that the vehicle was left unlocked with the keys in it. The stolen vehicle is a tan 2500 Chevrolet Silverado with …