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Nearly 100 people toured newly remodeled and upgraded Colon Jr./Sr. High and Colon Elementary schools during a public open house Tuesday. Preceded by a ceremonial ribbon cutting, the tours mark the near completion of a 15-month, $15 million improvement of the district’s three buildings and upgrades of its technology to the latest available. Work at Leonidas School and an open …

Margaret Shultz has been named volunteer services specialist for St. Joseph County United Way, the Centreville-based agency announced this week. Shultz, who recently retired from the Department of Human Services, will connect with all non-profits in St. Joseph County, building a database of their volunteer activities and needs. United Way executive director Kelly Hostetler said the project is something she …

Current and prospective volunteers for the Open Arms weekend homeless shelter in Three Rivers are invited to attend either of two training and orientation sessions. Stationed at the First United Methodist Church on North Main Street, the Three Rivers site operates in support of the county’s Keystone Place in Centreville by housing its overflow guests on Friday, Saturday and Sunday …

The third “Generate Sturgis” event last week resulted in an award of $1,000 to a White Pigeon teacher for the concept of what she called Make-It, Take-It. “Generate Sturgis,” where residents with unique and practical business ideas pitch their concepts to city officials, drew five contestants last week. Theresa Hazard’s concept was voted the best idea, which called for a …

A 27-year-old Three Rivers man was treated and released following a one-car accident around 11:30 p.m. Monday. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, Michael Matthew was driving east on M-60, near Marlene Drive, when he lost control of the vehicle. Matthew was transported to Three Rivers Health. A department media release does not indicate the reason Matthew’s vehicle …

An electrical problem is the suspected culprit of a fire that caused heavy smoke damage to a residence in the 69000 block of Nottawa Road in Sturgis Township Friday morning. Tri-Township firefighters saw flames from the rear of the home upon their arrival. The lone occupant, whose age was not immediately available, escaped without injury. The resident told officials he …

The St. Joseph County Grange Fair is still a couple of weeks away. The dates this year are from September 16 through September 22. If the weather continues the way it has been, we should have Mother Nature on our side. Brochures can be picked up at the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce office at 57 North Main Street, …

Like most children, our daughters are always asking if we can have more pets. We currently have two cats, Dreyfus and Calum. Dreyfus is the old man of the two as he just had his 15th birthday and Calum is right behind him at 13. Although my wife loves our cats — she picked them out — her biggest fear …

St. Joseph County’s July unemployment rate saw a notable increase from the previous month. Monthly figures released from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget Analysis show St. Joseph County had a July unemployment rate of 9.7 percent, a 1.1-percent increase from June. The agency indicated summer layoffs in education contributed to the increase. Despite the increase from June, …

The St. Joseph County Conservation District completed its sixth river cleanup for 2012 last weekend and drew a total of 17 volunteers. The effort started at Farrand Road bridge in Colon Township and covered nearly three miles, ending at the Jacksonburg Road bridge in Leonidas Township. Event organizers estimated nearly 500 pounds of debris was removed from the river. The …