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Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce officials have announced details related to the annual “State of the Area” government update. The update will take place from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on January 17 at the chamber’s event center, 1116 N. Main St. Local, county and state elected officials are expected to attend and provide brief updates on important local matters. …

Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce officials have announced director Roxanne Persing plans to step down in January. Persing, who took over the role earlier this year, has accepted a teaching job with Sturgis Public Schools, chamber officials said. The vacancy nearly coincides with the impending departure of Mike Hughes as Sturgis city manager. Hughes announced in October he would be …

A $50,000 fundraising goal was recently reached by an organization helping to protect the Paw Paw Watershed. Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy’s Miko Dargitz said the latest drive reached its goal before the Dec. 31 deadline. As a result, it will receive a $50,000 matching grant. SWMLC plans to acquire, protect and steward more than 1,500 acres and 6.5 miles of …

A challenge over water is underway in western Branch County and parts of St. Joseph County based on the habitat of brown trout. A coalition of interested parties called Prairie Water Group is trying to stop the redesignation of the Prairie River from warm to cold, which will result in major economic losses for farmers who irrigate and Branch County. Time …

Plans are again moving forward for the Sturgis splash pad project, delayed by a year due to lack of bids for the project. The city split the project into two segments — a parking lot and bathroom site, and the splash pad itself, to potentially attract bidders. Sturgis Planning Commission members last week heard an update on the project and …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a fatal crash last week in Calhoun County’s Newtown Township. The crash occurred shortly before 11:30 p.m. Thursday on B Drive South, near 11 Mile Road. Troopers said a snowmobile driven by a 49-year-old Battle Creek man was traveling south across B Drive South, when it entered a field, struck a rock and lost …

After over 20 years as president and executive director of Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy, Peter Ter Louw has announced he will be leaving the organization. Ter Louw, whose last day will be Saturday, plans on moving back east to be near family, and to pursue other opportunities beyond Michigan. During his service and time at the helm, Ter Luow has …

Michigan State Police raided two locations in St. Joseph County and another in Cass County earlier this month, recovering more than $300,000 in stolen vehicles and trailers. Investigators obtained search warrants after several months of investigation. Two properties were searched Dec. 6 in the 51000 block of Lang Road in Park Township. Also, a single property was searched in the …

Michigan State Police troopers are investigating a two-vehicle crash that occurred last week in the White Pigeon area. Law-enforcement officials responded Friday afternoon to U.S. 131 and Dickinson Road. Authorities said the driver of the semi, a 52-year-old man from Jackson County, was traveling north on U.S. 131 when he lost control of his vehicle. It crossed the centerline and …

Glen Oaks Community College Board of Trustees recently approved a remote-work policy for employees in remote-eligible positions. Since the pandemic, there has been a surge in businesses and organizations allowing remote work positions across the country, college officials said. The policy, developed by the school’s human resources department, cites several criteria as a guide as to whether a position is …