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The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency wants make sure everyone safely enjoys a fireworks show this holiday weekend. The agency issued a media release in which a number of safety reminders are referenced. Common sense should be the rule of thumb. Smart and safe Fourth of July celebrations include reminders that kids should never play with fireworks, only legal fireworks …

The reconstruction of U.S. 131 in and around Three Rivers is about a week behind schedule due to the volume of rain last month. Still, Michigan Department of Transportation officials are confident they will be able to make up the delay and finish the calendar year on schedule. MDOT’s Nick Schirripa said the two-year, $20 million undertaking is no different …

The third of six river cleanup events this summer was declared a success by its organizers. Staged Saturday on the Prairie River, the cleanup centered on a 3.8-mile stretch from Centreville Canoe Park to Hoshel Road. Event coordinator Shaun Grace said a team of 18 volunteers and four staff members took part. Their combined efforts netted a lawn chair, metal …

Welcome to July. This Thursday is the Fourth. A day when we celebrate our independence. A time to gather with family and friends and enjoy cooking out on the grill, possibly watch a parade or two, and enjoy the many firework displays available throughout the county. If you are planning to handle your own fireworks, please do so with caution, …

May’s unemployment rate in St. Joseph County was half a percent higher than the previous month. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed the county’s 4.2 percent May unemployment rate marked an increase from April’s 3.7 percent. St. Joseph County’s rate was slightly greater than the state unemployment average, which was 3.9 percent …

Here’s the weekly update from the Michigan Department of Transportation regarding the reconstruction of US-131 in Three Rivers. MDOT officials said the Stage 2 traffic pattern remains in place and operating with two-way traffic taking place on southbound US-131. Bridge work at the Rocky River bridge, north of Hoffman Road, continues. Meanwhile, MDOT crews are also focusing on the M-60 …

Members of the St. Joseph County Historical Society have completed a three-year restoration of the former White Pigeon Prairie U. S. Land Office. During the opening day of White Pigeon Days last Friday, historical society president Lori Dahlquist surprised curator Holly Stephenson with a plaque recognizing the energy and effort Stephenson put into the restoration campaign. Many other people, including …

A Dowagiac woman was arrested on drug-related charges following a traffic stop last week. Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke said Renietta Szulczyk, 31, was in a vehicle stopped Thursday at the corner of Main and Walnut streets in the city of Dowagiac. Deputies allegedly found methamphetamine and analogue medications in her purse, according to Behnke. In addition, Szulczyk was wanted …

The Centreville school board has rated superintendent Stephanie Lemmer “highly effective” and extended her contract through 2021. The 37-year-old Lemmer received an overall evaluation score of 91 percent. Board president Jeff Troyer said that over the past year, Lemmer showed growth in labor relations and staff relations. Financial terms of Lemmer’s contract call for a two percent base salary increase, to …

Members of the Centreville Public Schools Board of Education approved some personnel matters Monday. The board approved hiring Laura Schmidt as elementary school social worker and appointed elementary librarian Mary Beals as the high school’s summer school teacher. Board members renewed coaching contracts for Shawn Hulin, girls’ track; Mike Hunter, boys’ track; Stephen Larsen, golf; and Scott Logan, softball. Baseball …