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State Rep. Aaron Miller said this coming Saturday and Sunday is Free Fishing Weekend in Michigan, and he urges people to join by casting a line in a local lake, pond or river. Miller said the Michigan Department of Natural Resources waives all fishing-license fees during Free Fishing Weekend so residents and out-of-staters alike can experience the joy of fishing …

I spent nine years working for a Japanese freight forwarder in Chicago. During those nine years, I was able to become familiar with the Japanese language, but not enough to follow the dialogue in foreign movies featuring Japanese actors. Thank God for movies like MIDWAY, where most of the script was in English. I am also a little familiar with …

Organizers of this past weekend’s Summer Kick-Off at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds remained upbeat despite a wet day Saturday. The annual event included a beer tent, karaoke and a mud run. Tractor and truck pulls scheduled for Saturday were canceled due to the weather. Regarding River Country Has Talent, only three people registered. As a result, they automatically qualified …

The 2015 annual audit and a county millage-rate request are among the items of new business to be fielded this afternoon by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Other matters before the commission include a request for a new position for community corrections, a request to establish an online survey and fund-balance designations. The meeting starts at 5 p.m. …

State Rep. Aaron Miller has called on the Legislature to put the brakes on repealing an $80 million car-insurance-industry tax credit until reform takes place to lower insurance rates. Miller last week voted against House Bills 5457 and 5458, which repeal an inadvertent tax credit given to insurance companies in legislation signed into law in 2012. Miller said he wants …

A public hearing to consider rezoning a property in the 58000 block of U.S. 131 highlights the agenda of today’s Three Rivers City Commission meeting. Other matters before Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners include a public hearing regarding a user-fee ordinance, a bid for the fiscal year 2017 drinking-water chemical bid award, the purchase of a lawn tractor and accessories, …

The second Meijer store in St. Joseph County opened last week, as the Grand Rapids-based company staged a ceremonial ribbon cutting in Sturgis. A number of local dignitaries and Meijer corporate representatives were on hand Thursday to commemorate the occasion. The 192,000-square-foot supercenter is located at South Centerville Road and West South Street. Store director Marsha Keefer opened the event …

State Rep. Aaron Miller issued a statement after the House last week approved reforms for Detroit Public Schools: Miller said Detroit finally provided solid figures on what was needed to reform the failing school district. Miller said legislators allocated exactly what was needed to provide start-up funding for the new district and make emergency repairs on school buildings. Inaction would …

St. Joseph County Treasurer Judie Ratering in 2015 collected more than $33 million from local treasurers. The figure was one of many Ratering provided during a recent county commission meeting. Ratering said the funds were disbursed twice each month to the taxing entities. In addition, her office has recently settled with all townships and cities, and is prepared to pay …

A former police chief in Constantine who previously worked for the Michigan State Police was laid to rest last week amid full police honors. Police representatives from Centreville, Colon, Constantine, Mendon, Portage and surrounding areas joined lawyers, judges and other public officials to pay homage to Det. Sgt. Jim Bedell at Trinity Missionary Church in Constantine. Rev. Dennis Smith, pastor …