News

A decision by the Sturgis Planning Commission will allow various types of fencing in the downtown central business district designed to accommodate some new commercial uses. City officials last week said outdoor eating areas, mainly at locations that serve alcohol, must have perimeter fencing to cordon them from general pedestrian traffic. Some commercial fencing also is expected in the area …

Brian Persky, executive director of the Three Rivers DDA/Main Street, announced Tuesday he has submitted his letter of resignation to the board of directors. Persky, whose last day on the job in Three Rivers will be Nov. 25, said he was recently presented with an opportunity to serve as sports sales manager at Discover Kalamazoo. He said the position combines …

Members of the group TR Cares plan to assemble a slate of candidates for the local school board and a county position in elections next year. During what was promoted as a town-hall meeting Tuesday at the JOCO Center in Three Rivers, attorney Kelly Ward addressed more than 60 people who heard a recap of the timeline related to an …

An active case of tuberculosis is under investigation and treatment in the Sturgis area, according to Kim Wilhelm, prevention services director for Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. The man became infected in April, Wilhelm said. The agency is attempting to find the man’s contacts and is involved in extensive testing, Wilhelm said. Between 20 and 30 people were found to …

The Mendon Village Planning Commission last week recommended acceptance of a plan for a Dollar General retail store. The matter was forwarded to the Mendon Village Council, along with an additional recommendation that specific signage be installed to help negate some of the traffic flow concerns. The proposed development is being eyed at the corner of West Main and Railroad …

A benefit magic show last weekend will help the Colon Food Pantry stretch its inventory as a season of high need approaches. A five-act magic show Saturday at Colon Elementary School entertained a crowd of about 60 people, whose price of admission was a donation of a non-perishable food item or cash. In many cases, cash as well as food …

The September unemployment rate in St. Joseph County decreased by one-tenth of a percent compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 3.7 percent September unemployment rate was less than August’s 3.8 percent. Also, September’s unemployment rate was 1.4 percent less than the same month one …

Overall numbers were down at Saturday’s collection of household hazardous waste and electronics items compared to last fall’s event. Nonetheless, organizers are still calling the four-hour event a success because so many items were disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner. Pat Kulikowski, secretary of the St. Joseph County Solid Waste Committee, said the following amounts were collected Saturday: 1,500 …

Investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics assisted the Michigan Department of Corrections in parole and probation compliance checks last week. In all, nine residences were searched Thursday, resulting in five arrests. Officials said arrests were made in Three Rivers, Constantine and Sturgis. Charges include possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, delivery of a controlled substance, maintaining a drug …

Three Rivers Area Mentoring officials on Saturday staged the agency’s ninth annual Coat Giveaway event to children and adults in need of warmer attire. 230 coats were donated to TRAM and more than half were given away during the two-hour event. Leftover coats and other clothing items were turned over to the Random Acts of Kindness Club at Three Rivers …