News Archives

Date: May 15, 2008

Three positions, three candidates.  That’s the situation after passage of Tuesday’s (May 13th) filing deadline for seats on the Three Rivers City Commission.   Two incumbents – At-Large Commissioner Daryl Griffith and Second District Commissioner Elbert Foster – are seeking re-election for another two years.  The other candidate is Carolyn McNary, who is in the running for the Fourth District commissioner seat now held by David York. Since no more than two persons filed nominating petitions for any of the offices, there will not be primary election activity related to these positions in August and the candidates’ names will appear on the ballot for the general election on November 4th.

Glen Oaks Community College is benefiting from a six percent increase in enrollment. The Board of Trustees learned during their May 14th meeting that total revenues for the college year-to-date were $8.9 million – five percent better compared to budget at this time last year. Expenses were $7.5 million on a year-to-date basis, representing 72 percent of the annual fiscal budget and a three percent lower budget spending rate than this time last year. Chief Operations Officer Kelli Sproule reported a net increase in net assets as of April 30th of $1.4 million, which was significantly ahead of last year’s $400-thousand net increase at the same time due to earlier receipt of property tax revenues. Tuition revenue through April was $2.2 million, an increase of almost $200-thousand, or 10 percent over last year and approximately four percent better compared to budget than last year at this time.  Sproule said, “The increase is due to Fall 2007 and Winter 2008 credit enrollment increases, as well as preliminary Spring 2008 revenue exceeding budget.”  According to Sproule, current Michigan legislation called for just a one percent increase in the college’s base state aid appropriation. The college has been able to reduce spending in many areas, but did increase items such as scholarship expenses, including institutionally funded student aid.  Scholarship expenses were $23,000, or nine percent higher, through April compared to last year at this time in keeping with the school’s mission of helping students achieve a college education at an affordable price.

 
It’s Michigan Week kick-off time in Sturgis! A kick-off dinner is scheduled Friday evening (May 16th) at the Sturges-Young Civic Center and Auditorium with Mike MacLaren, Executive Director of the Michigan Press Association, as the featured speaker.  State Senator Cameron Brown and state Representative Rick Shaffer will also speak. Later Friday evening, “There’s No Place Like Home” will be staged in the auditorium with music, dance, and stories throughout the history of Sturgis. A variety of activities will take place in Sturgis through Thursday, May 22nd, including the 49th annual Michigan Week Kick-Off Parade on Saturday (May 17th), beginning at noon.  Congressman Fred Upton of St. Joseph will be the grand marshal.  Sturgis National Guard Unit 1463rd Transportation Company and the Sturgis Civic Players will serve jointly as honorary grand marshals. For more information, contact the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce at (269) 651-5758.

Candidates for public office were out in force last evening (May 14th) during the regular monthly meeting of the Fabius Township Board. Five candidates, including all three Republicans seeking that party’s nomination for state representative from the 59th Michigan House District – Rob Sisson, Matt Lori and Monte Bordner – made presentations during the session.  The board and Fabius Township citizens also heard from two of the five candidates in the running for St. Joseph County sheriff – Democrat Dan Riggs and Republican Brad Balk. The field will be trimmed in the primary election on August 5th.  The general election is set for November 4th. Speaking of dates, the Fabius Township Board moved its July meeting from the 9th to the 16th because Supervisor Bob McDonough won’t be available on the earlier date.  Fabius Township Board meetings are generally held on the second Wednesday.

  
A third suspect has been convicted in the beating and stabbing deaths of a 93-year-old Kalamazoo County man, his 91-year-old wife and their 63-year-old daughter. A jury found Jerome Williams guilty of first-degree murder, perjury and home invasion. Marinus and Sary Polderman and daughter Anna Lewis died Aug. 31, 2000, in Pavilion Township. The 38-year-old Galesburg man faces automatic life imprisonment without parole. A jury in December convicted 28-year-old Benjamin Platt of first-degree murder, while 26-year-old Brandy Miller pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and awaits sentencing. Jury selection has started for 31-year-old Andrew Miller, while 24-year-old Angela McConnell faces trial July 29.  (AP)

 
An arrest has been made in connection with the suspicious death of a Sturgis resident early this year. 18-year-old Joshua Filan died on January 8th after police say he took a dose of heroin. As a result of a joint investigation between the Sturgis Police Department and the Metropolitan Enforcement Team in Grand Rapids, 35-year-old Christopher Cummings of Grand Rapids was taken into custody Wednesday and charged with delivery of a controlled substance less than 50 grams of heroin, and habitual offender - fourth offense. He is being held in the Kent County Jail.

Obituaries

Jack Junior Evans, 81, of Edwardsburg, died Wednesday.  Visitation will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday at the Mottville Community Church where services will be at 2 p.m. Friday. The Farrand Funeral Home is handling arrangements.   Samuel Mancino Sr., age 90, of Sturgis, died Tuesday.  The family will receive friends and relatives from 4-8 p.m. Friday at the Rosenberg Chapel in Sturgis.  Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Date: May 14, 2008 

American Axle said Tuesday that talks with the United Auto Workers aimed at settling a three-month strike had stalled since Sunday. The company said negotiations were snagged on health-care benefits and supplemental unemployment benefits. A UAW spokesman had no immediate comment. About 3,650 UAW-represented workers have been on strike at five American Axle plants in Michigan and New York since late February.  (AP)

The Three Rivers City Commission would like more information about the city’s solid waste management fund, municipal street repairs, and money spent to repair Village of Constantine wastewater pumps as deliberations continue toward adoption of the city’s budget for the fiscal year set to begin on July 1st. Commissioners reviewed the budget during a special meeting last evening (May 13th). The session also included a public hearing on the possibility of utilizing a single polling location for elections in the city, instead of the current procedure in which voting takes place at four locations. According to a memo to commissioners from City Manager Joe Bippus and City Clerk Lindsay Howes, “Laws and the rules and regulations resulting from the interpretation of the laws have changed the face of elections” over the past five years. The memo says that “St. Joseph County Clerk Pattie Bender has implemented new rules in the County to follow best practices from around the State.  The City of Three Rivers is the only municipality in the County that is unable to comply with the new standards because of location issues.” According to the memo, “Bender has strongly recommended that the City use one polling location.”  The Commission on Aging building – the Three Rivers Community Center – would be able to accommodate consolidation of the four precincts and “the City would be able to comply with the rules.”  Commissioners asked for more information regarding alternative solutions to keep polling locations in the precincts and still meet County rules.

Cynthia Jarratt has announced that she will seek her fifth term as Register of Deeds for St. Joseph County. In reporting her re-election bid, Jarratt said, “I think experience counts and I have 16 years experience as the Register of Deeds.”  The Republican officeholder notes that she has a total of 24 years experience in the Register of Deeds office where she began working as a microfilm clerk in 1976 at the age of 20. Jarratt says that – through her leadership – she has brought the office “into its current era of technology,” one in which the office operates on the “cutting edge” of technology.  The Register of Deeds office maintains the official public records of all transactions involving property within the county.

Nearly 150 people gathered at A Place In Time in downtown Three Rivers last evening (May 13th) to recognize Mary and Taylor Snow as the Three Rivers Lions Club’s latest “Citizens of the Year.” The Snows have long-established ties to Three Rivers and a multi-faceted track record of volunteerism and service to the community. Family and friends paid tribute to them during an evening that was filled with an abundance of stories and laughter, as well as some serious moments. Featured speakers were Kathi Brueck, past president of the Three Rivers Woman’s Club; Roger Wiedenbeck, retired executive from The Johnson Corporation and a longtime friend; and District Court Judge Jeff Middleton. The Snows received a variety of items in recognition of their contributions to the community, including a plaque from the Lions presented by club President Norm Stutesman. The local Lions Club has conducted the Citizen of the Year program since 1965 to recognize persons who, through a commitment to service, have given unselfishly of themselves for the betterment of the community.
 
The Alpha Delta Omega Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Glen Oaks Community College will host a Band Bash Benefit on Saturday, June 14th, from 12 noon until 10 p.m. at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds in Centreville.  The charities benefiting from the proceeds include the American Cancer Society, Animal Rescue Fund of St. Joseph County, Keystone Place and the Covered Bridge Restoration Project. Bands scheduled to perform include Tripology, Bred by Society, Ritual Suicide, High Tech Mafia, Viewed From the Right, Prodigal Son and Quiverbone. Tickets are $5 in advance or $8 at the gate. This will be an indoor/outdoor event with vendors on site. For more information, contact Kathy Pelikan at (269) 467-9945, extension 234.

A 24-year-old Three Rivers resident was arrested by local police Tuesday evening when a suspected methamphetamine lab was located in his pick-up. The arrest followed a routine traffic stop on Madison Street near South Main.

A 25-year-old Three Rivers woman was injured in a 1-car traffic accident Tuesday in the 200-block of North Main Street. The unidentified woman's vehicle veered off the road and traveled about 140 feet before hitting a tree. Police say the use of prescription drugs may have been a factor in the crash.

Obituaries

Date: May 13th, 2008

There's word of progress in talks aimed at ending a two-and-a-half month strike against the auto parts supplier American Axle. The news came as General Motors announced it was restoring production at five plants affected by shortages of parts from American Axle. GM says 29 of its plants remain partly or fully closed because of the strike. A spokeswoman for American Axle says company and United Auto Workers union bargainers made progress, though she wouldn't give specifics. About 3,600 workers have been on strike since February 26th in a dispute over the company's demand for steep pay cuts to match its competition.  (AP)

The idea of having all of the city’s polling places in one location will be the subject of a public hearing during a special meeting of the Three Rivers City Commission this evening (May 13th). According to a memo to commissioners from City Manager Joe Bippus and City Clerk Lindsay Howes, “Money is the main motivator to bring the polling locations together.” The memo says the Election Consolidation Act would allow the city to combine two precincts for school and city elections.  It contends that consolidation could potentially save more than $1,500 in precinct worker and supply costs alone for each election that was consolidated.  Elections that may be consolidated include school and city elections. The memo cites a number of other benefits of having one polling location in the city and says the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging building – the Three Rivers Community Center – has a room large enough to handle all four of the city’s precincts.          Tonight’s meeting will get underway at 6 o’clock in the Commission Room at City Hall. Commissioners are also slated to review the proposed budget for the new fiscal year that begins on July  1sr.

 The Lockport Township Board has rejected a proposed new fee schedule for services rendered by the Lockport-Fabius-Park Fire Department. The action came on a 3-to-2 vote during the board’s regular monthly meeting last evening (Monday, May 12th) following a good deal of conversation about paying for fire department operations.  Supervisor Marty Barth, Clerk Wayne Timm and Treasurer Paul Bungart voted in favor of the motion to reject the fee schedule while Trustees Dannie Bloom and Robert Wortinger opposed it. Discussion on the matter included expressions of concern about the amounts proposed in the fee schedule, particularly when Lockport Township voters will be asked in August to authorize two fire department-related tax levies – six-tenths of a mill for fire department operations and five-tenths of a mill to fund the township’s share of the cost for a new fire station. The boards of Fabius and Park townships, which partner with Lockport in the rural fire department, will also vote on the fee schedule. Regarding the rejection by Lockport Township officials, Barth said, “I will convey this to the other supervisors so they know how we voted.”  According to Barth, if Fabius and Park townships approve the new fee schedule, it would take effect despite the Lockport rejection because of the majority rule policy for operation of the fire department.

 
There will be no raises in the salaries for Lockport Township officials in the fiscal year that begins July 1st if township board action last evening (May 12th) is sustained when the budget is adopted in June. During its May meeting, the Lockport Township Board adopted a resolution calling for no raises, only a 2.8 percent cost of living adjustment.  The decision came on a 4-to-1 vote with Supervisor Marty Barth, Clerk Wayne Timm, Treasurer Paul Bungart and Trustee Dannie Bloom supporting the motion.  Trustee Robert Wortinger cast the dissenting vote.

            The resolution sets the salaries as follows:

·                    Supervisor – $17,724

·                    Clerk – $23,340

·                    Treasurer – $11,508

·                    Trustees – $7,104, meaning each of the two trustees would be paid half that amount, $3,552.

The proposed budget – including the salaries – will be the subject of a public hearing during the board’s next regular meeting on Monday, June 9th.

The fact that 2008 is a big election year was evident last evening (May 12th) as three candidates for public office appeared as “guests” during the regular monthly meeting of the Lockport Township Board. The lineup included two candidates for the Republican nomination for state representative from the 59th Michigan House District – St. Joseph County Sheriff Matt Lori and former Sturgis Mayor Rob Sisson.  Also on hand was St. Joseph County Prosecutor Douglas Fisher who is seeking re-election. Lori cited four priorities he would have as the area’s state representative in Lansing – jobs, health care, law enforcement and education. Sisson said this year’s election is about three things – jobs, the state budget and leadership. And Fisher cited “experience” as what makes him the preferred candidate for the position of county prosecutor. Today (May 13th) is the filing deadline for candidates.  Nominees for ballot positions in the November general election will be determined in primary election voting on August 5th.

Date: May 12th, 2008

State Representative Rick Shaffer of Three Rivers is in the running for a seat on the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners.  Shaffer filed nominating petitions to seek the Republican nomination for the District 1 position on May 5th, the same day the current officeholder, Eric Shafer, also of Three Rivers, withdrew his name from contention. Both men live on Crescent Beach Road at Fisher Lake. Representative Shaffer served on the county board for 12 years before moving on to the Michigan House more than five years ago.  He is completing his third, two-year term and, because of term limits, cannot seek re-election. The Republican nominee will be determined in the primary election on August 5th. The filing deadline is tomorrow.

State Senator Cameron Brown says that – with the passage of Senate Bill 146 by the Michigan Senate last week – the House of Representatives and Governor Jennifer Granholm have an opportunity to create desperately needed jobs in a state ravaged by an extended recession. The bill, sponsored by Brown, would give local units of government in Michigan the ability to offer tax abatements to attract large scale warehouse, distribution, logistics, and communication facilities. Municipalities in Indiana, Ohio and other Midwest states that compete with Michigan for jobs have enjoyed the ability to offer such abatements for years. Similar bills sponsored by Brown have been vetoed by Granholm or did not reach her desk.  In recent weeks, however, it has come to light that a major company may locate a distribution center in Michigan.  If signed into law, SB 146 could be utilized by that local unit of government to help attract the business to their community. Brown, a Republican lawmaker from Fawn River Township, said, “There is a lot of talk in the Capitol building about creating jobs.  “This bill is an opportunity for House members and Governor Granholm to back up their talk with action.” SB 146 passed the Senate by a 27-8 vote, with support from both sides of the aisle. Brown said, “Three years have passed since I first introduced legislation to give our local communities this basic economic development tool.  In that time, we have undoubtedly lost numerous companies and jobs to our neighboring states due to our inaction.  Now we are faced with a clear choice – finally pass this bill and help attract a major job provider to our state, or deny local units of governments this desperately needed tool.”

The Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority will conduct a “Spring Wash Down” on Saturday (May 17th) in Historic Downtown Three Rivers. Main Street will be closed from Portage Avenue to Michigan Avenue while the Three Rivers Fire Department “hoses down” the street from 7:30  to 8:15 Saturday morning. Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. until 12 noon for tasks such as weeding the sidewalks, planting flowers and washing windows. For details, contact DDA Director Christy Trammell at 278-8193.
 

Date: May 9th, 2008

One person was injured in a rollover accident in Burr Oak Township yesterday afternoon. According to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, the driver, 28-year-old Samantha Wyant , left the roadway due to a medical condition and rolled the vehicle in a corn field at Needham and Hackman roads. The department was assisted by the Burr Oak Fire Department and Life Care Ambulance. Authorities say the driver was wearing a seatbelt and alcohol was not a factor in the accident.

General Motors Corp. has agreed to kick in up to $200 million to help bring an end to a bitter 10-week strike at parts supplier American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc. The automaker said Thursday in a government filing that the money would go for temporary payments to buffer reduced wages for the workers, as well as employee buyout and early retirement packages. About 3,600 United Auto Workers at five American Axle factories have been on strike since Feb. 26 in a dispute over the company's quest for lower wages and benefits. The strike has crippled GM's production of pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles and hurt its bottom line. About 30 GM factories have been either fully or partially closed due to the strike. No deal had been reached between American Axle and the UAW as of Thursday afternoon, but American Axle spokeswoman Renee Rogers said talks were continuing. "We are hopeful that GM's financial assistance to help fund the buyouts, retirement incentives and buy downs ... will facilitate an expedited resolution to the international UAW strike," Rogers said. "It's been costly and disruptive. A quick return to work will be a win-win-win for everybody." American Axle said in a separate filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that the aid from GM is contingent on a quick end to the strike. "We believe the offer will help bridge the gap between American Axle and the UAW and that they will be able to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement in the near future," GM spokesman Dan Flores said. A phone message seeking comment was left for UAW spokesman Roger Kerson. Harley Shaiken, a professor at the University of California at Berkeley who specializes in labor issues, said there are still some tough issues for negotiators to work through, but he believes the investment will resolve the strike sooner than it would have ended without GM's help. "It was pretty much understood after a point that GM was going to have to do something. It was not simply an innocent bystander and it was going to be costly," Shaiken said. "I think GM's involvement was a necessary condition for a settlement, but whether the $200 million is a sufficient condition remains to be seen." Shaiken pointed out that $200 million would work out to about $14,000 per employee over the life of a four-year contract. The announcement of the GM cash brought optimism to the picket lines at American Axle's complex in Detroit. "GM has to realize they've got a vested interest in this company doing well," said Bill Alford, president-elect of UAW Local 235, one of the striking locals. Alford said he had not heard from the union's bargaining team since the GM announcement was made. American Axle makes axles, drive shafts and stabilizer bars mainly for GM's large SUVs and pickup trucks. The company has said its hourly labor costs are far higher than those at competitors that have reached agreements with the UAW, and it needs to lower its costs to gain new business. The company has threatened to move work done at its U.S. plants to foreign factories. GM said in its filing that the strike has not hurt its ability to deliver trucks and SUVs because its dealers had large inventories of the vehicles. But its North American division lost $800 million due to the strike, and through April, the strike cost GM production of about 230,000 vehicles. "We anticipate that this lost production will not be fully recovered after this work stoppage is resolved, due to the current economic environment in the United States and to the market shift away from the types of vehicles that have been most strongly affected by the action at American Axle," the company said. GM also said the strike has cut its liquidity by $2.1 billion but said it has the money to meet its needs even if U.S. industrywide auto sales continue to drop.  (AP)

Officials involved in the investigation of the death of an 11-year-old Constantine girl last fall say they have “scientific forensic evidence” that may help solve the case. During a late afternoon news conference yesterday at the Courthouse in Centreville, St. Joseph County Prosecutor Douglas Fisher, Constantine Police Chief Mark Honeysett, and Undersheriff Dennis Allen provided a “six-month review” of the Jodi Parrack homicide. Fisher said, “The only thing in terms of new information which I am prepared to reveal today is there is some scientific forensic evidence that will be of very substantial assistance in both identifying and clearing suspects.” Fisher expressed confidence the case will be solved and said, “Once the person is identified, we have a very, very good case.” Fisher also appealed for help from the public in two ways:

·                  By reporting conversation heard or overheard that “seems to refer to this case and might indicate some special knowledge or responsibility”

·                  By reporting information about any person who moved away from the Constantine area between the time of the homicide on November 8^th and Christmas.

Information that may prove helpful should be directed to the Sheriff’s Department or the Constantine Police Department. Fisher said 664 leads have been received in the six months the investigation has been underway.  Approximately two-thirds to three-quarters of those leads have been “closed and cleared.” Fisher said that, as the leads have been cleared out, the investigation has shrunk from the team of 35 investigators at the outset, but three fulltime investigators are “working exclusively, or almost exclusively, on this case.”  Two are from the Sheriff’s Department through the Major Crimes Task Force and one is from the Constantine Police Department.  Fisher said, “They are still closing out leads.” Fisher said, “We have had 100 percent cooperation from the family of the victim – from Jodi’s parents and her entire family.  They have all helped in the gathering of that scientific forensic information and everyone who has helped us with that scientific information has been cleared.” And how long will the investigation continue?  Fisher said, “As long as we have leads, we’re going to have good people working those leads.”

Adam Golka, the “2008 Gilmore Festival Young Artist,” received a standing ovation for his performance last evening at the Riviera Theatre in downtown Three Rivers – but he wasn’t alone in garnering such recognition. Bruce Monroe, owner of the historic building, was honored in similar fashion at the outset of the evening by the “sold out” crowd as they expressed their appreciation for the major restoration project undertaken by the Monroe family over the last two-and-one-half years. The concert – staged in conjunction with the Carnegie Center for the Arts as a part of the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival – marked the return of the theatre to an active role in the life of the community. In his welcoming remarks, Monroe thanked the Gilmore Foundation and the Carnegie Center “for providing this wonderful opportunity in the form of a deadline we had to meet.” Monroe noted the challenges involved in his family’s goal of restoring the theatre to the grandeur it had at its opening in 1925.  He said, “We think we’ve done a decent job of re-creating the look,” a comment that drew another hearty round of applause. Monroe said, “The look is more or less as it will be,” but some “technical decisions” need to be made yet relative to projection, sound and lighting, “things that will make this a really first class environment.”  He added, “We’re not quite there yet, but we hope to have this theatre ‘seriously open,’ if I can use that term, mid to late June, surely the summer sometime.” Monroe introduced Helen McCauslin, director of the Carnegie Center for the Arts, who said, “I think the applause at the start said it all.  We owe a great debt of gratitude to you and Cynthia and the whole family because I know you’ve all worked on this.  You’ve given a great gift to this community in this incredibly beautiful theatre.” The concert was followed by an equally well-attended reception at the Carnegie Center.

The St. Joseph County Road Commission reports that the Longnecker Road Bridge crossing the Little Portage Creek between Osgood Road and McClish road will be closed to traffic, effective immediately.  The existing structure will be replaced with a concrete box beam bridge at an estimated cost of $290,000.  The contractor for the project is Milbocker & Sons, Inc. The bridge is being funded 95 percent with federal funds and state local bridge funds.  The remaining five percent is being funded using a local match from the road commission’s Michigan Transportation funds. The posted detour route will be McClish Road, Michigan Avenue and Osgood Road. The project is pegged for completion by November 1st.

Three persons were apprehended after an armed robbery early Wednesday  in Schoolcraft. According to the Schoolcraft Police Department, a clerk at the Speedway gas station on South Grand Street in Schoolcraft reported the robbery at 4:15 a.m.  Two subjects with face masks entered the station and demanded money.  One robber displayed a handgun.  Money and cigarettes were taken in the robbery.  There were no patrons in the store at the time of the robbery and no one was injured. The clerk reported the armed robbery telling Central Dispatch that the robbers fled on foot northwest from the station. Officer Matt Britton of the Schoolcraft Police Department was dispatched, responded within minutes, and observed a vehicle leaving a residence on Cherry Street in Schoolcraft with only a driver.  He radioed to dispatch the description of the vehicle and that it had an Indiana license plate.  Officer Britton and an officer with the Vicksburg Police Dept then met with the clerk to begin the investigation.  Officers later learned  the robbers had parked their car on Cherry Street – one block north of the Speedway station – to commit the robbery. Deputy Mike Leeger from the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department located the suspect vehicle on U.S. 131 and conducted a traffic stop at West Main and U.S. 131.   Items from the robbery were located as a result of the stop and two 21-year-old females and a 19-year-old female were taken into custody and charged with the robbery.  All three girls are residents of Kalamazoo.  Charges are being reviewed by the prosecutor’s office.  Detectives with the Sheriff’s office, along with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, are investigating these individuals for additional armed robberies. The incident remains under investigation by the Schoolcraft Police Department and the Sherriff’s office.

The Three Rivers Police Department reports the arrest of a 36-year-old homeless woman Wednesday for identity theft, possession of heroin and retail fraud. Officers responded to Wal-Mart for a reported retail fraud and made contact with the suspect who produced a Michigan driver’s license to identify herself.  After the retail fraud arrest, it was found the I-D belonged to a deceased person and a search at the police department yielded a small amount of drugs in the suspect’s purse. Police say the suspect was “live scanned” at the department and a positive match was made by her fingerprints.  Six outstanding warrants for her arrest were found. The suspect was lodged in the St. Joseph County jail pending arraignment.

Margaret Amelia Norris, age 100, of Sturgis, died Thursday. Arrangement will be announced by the Hackman Chapel in Sturgis.

Date: May 8th, 2008

Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph), the son of a WWII veteran, today will welcome nearly two dozen World War II veterans from Sturgis participating in an “honor flight” to the nation’s capital. Residents of Sturgis and surrounding communities teamed up with Riley Aviation to enable local members of the “Greatest Generation” to travel to Washington for the day to visit the newly erected World War II Memorial on the National Mall.  Upon arriving this morning, the group will caravan to Capitol Hill where Upton will visit with the vets on the steps of the U.S. Capitol before they head to the nearby WWII Memorial. Upton commended the residents of Sturgis and surrounding communities for “opening their hearts and their wallets’ to make the honor flight a reality.  Upton said, “Nearly six decades ago in the prime of their youth, these veterans put their lives on hold and left loved ones behind to fight for the survival of democracy.  It is a privilege to welcome Michigan’s true heroes to Washington.   These brave veterans all truly personify the ‘Greatest Generation’ and we are all grateful for their service.” Since the memorial’s dedication in 2004, honor flights have become an increasingly popular opportunity for veterans across the country to visit the memorial with their brethren and remember their collective experiences.  Typically, members of the community raise funds to cover the expenses of the trip for the local veterans.  Honor flights also serve as a chance for the public to pay tribute and express gratitude for the many sacrifices made by local veterans. Today’s honor flight will be provided at no cost to the WWII vets.  They will travel in several privately owned planes, landing in Leesburg, Virginia and then travel by van to the nation’s capital.  In addition to a benefit fish fry held May 2^nd at the Sturgis Elks Club, funds to pay for the honor flight were raised by private donations.  Many of the volunteers, including the pilots, are employees of Riley Aviation. The Sturgis honor flight coincides with the 10^th Annual National Military Appreciation Month.

The St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office has announced that it will conduct a “six-month review press conference” today concerning the death of Jodi Christine Parrack. The body of the 11-year-old Constantine girl was found on November 8^th of last year in the Constantine cemetery. The press conference will be held at 3:30 p.m. at the Courthouse in Centreville.  Some leaders of the investigation team and a representative from the prosecutor’s office will be available to describe efforts and progress to date on the investigation and answer questions.

Longevity and the experience that comes with it were evident at a service awards program held at Glen Oaks Community College last week. President Dr. Gary Wheeler said the awards honor a combined 405 years of dedicated service to the college by 29 faculty, administrators and staff members. Leading the honored group was Wayne Moss, Professor of Science, with 40 years of service educating area students. Dr. Dennis McCarthy, Dean of Student and Community Services, was honored for 35 years service. Two individuals, daytime receptionist Robin Weekly and Jim Cook, Professor of Drafting and Design, were each honored for 30 years service.  Denise Martin, Professor of Business and Information Technology, was praised for 25 years of dedication to Glen Oaks students.  Others honored for their service included:

·        20 Years: Professor Larry Hass, Kathy Patrick, Kathy Pelikan, Barb Thole, and Professor Lucy Zimmerman

·        15 Years: Barb Clouse, Professor Phyllis Cupp, Professor Dr. Frank Janca, Professor Dr. Lester Keith, and Betsy Morgan

·        10 Years: Ken Anway, Professor Jerry Barkley, Ed Chobot, Professor Judy DeMink, Larry Mericle, and Professor, Athletic Director and Head Basketball Coach Steve Proefrock

·        5 years: Instructor Kevin Conner, Cynthia Copney, Instructor Joyce Marsh, Anna Myers, Phuong Nguyen, Dr. Ron Pribble, Professor Judy Slone, and Diane Zinsmaster.

  

Obituaries

 

Evelyn Mary Parr, age 78, of Three Rivers, died Tuesday.  The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at the Hohner Funeral Home where funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday.

Vern D. Osmun, age 75, of Sturgis, died Wednesday morning.   The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday at the Rosenberg Chapel in Sturgis, where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m.. Saturday.
 
Larry Schoenholtz, age 60 of Colon, died Sunday, April 20, 2008. A memorial gathering of family and friends will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Three Rivers Eagles Lodge #2303. Arrangements were handled by the Eickhoff, Farrand, Halverson Chapel in Three Rivers.

Date: May 7th, 2008

Area voters went to the polls Tuesday to elect school board members and, in several instances, decide the fate of funding proposals. 

In the Three Rivers school district, incumbents John Rentfrow and Waneta Truckey were re-elected to four-year terms, defeating two other candidates, Florence Ingram and B. JoAnn Mundy.

Here are the winners in other school districts around the area:

Burr Oak – Mary Baldridge and Dennis Root
Centreville – Brian Petoskey
Colon – Eric Bower
Constantine – Connie Dalrymple and Mary Smith for four-year terms and Marilyn Ritzer for a one-year term
Mendon – James Fassett
Sturgis – Kerri Millett and Raymond Sterling
White Pigeon – Joseph Komins and Michael Krajniak for four-year terms and Charles Carpenter for a three-year term.
Colon school district voters defeated a $20,115,000 bond proposal – 724 to 502.
And in Nottawa Township, voters approved renewal of a library millage – 178 to 44.

The handling of a decision regarding a request to use Three Rivers Airport property to park the cars of workers to replace striking American Axle & Manufacturing employees has drawn fire from former Mayor Tom Lowry. During Tuesday night’s Three Rivers City Commission meeting, Lowry criticized Mayor Allen Balog for the way in which the decision to deny use of the property for that purpose was reached and presented.Lowry cited news coverage on the subject and said, “You claimed to publicly act as a representative for the city commission and no one, whether it’s a mayor or a commissioner, can ever claim to act as representing the commission or any elected body in this state or any states of this union unless there is a public meeting that occurred first, where there was a public vote that occurred authorizing that person to act as representative.” Lowry said, “I’m not taking issue with your stance, the reasons you did it, or anything.  What I want people to know is that you broke the law.” Lowry went on to say, “There has been no apology.  There has been no explanation.  There has been no acknowledgement that an illegality occurred.  To me that is incredibly serious.” Regarding what he described as “the mantle of an elected official,” something he called “a sacred duty,” Lowry said, “You violated that and I never want there to be an atmosphere in this city or any community where illegal acts occur and there is a level of comfort that encourages that to occur again.  That is wrong.  That is a disservice to voters.”  And Lowry said, “The question is in the air:  ‘What do we do?’” Reacting to Lowry’s comments, Commissioner Rowdy Keith said, “This issue isn’t completely over yet.  It’s not dropped, but I’m unprepared to give a statement.”  Keith said, “According to the charter – from the city attorney – we need to police ourselves and that’s what we’re going to do – and it will be public.” In the course of his comments, Balog noted his contacts with some commissioners – but not all of them – and said, “The proper thing would have been to have called a special meeting with an 18-hour posting of that meeting.  It was not how it was done and I do apologize for not doing it that way.”

 
Opting for a local vendor versus the lowest bidder, the Three Rivers City Commission voted Tuesday night to award a mowing contract to A & E Lawn Service of Three Rivers for $36,752. The action came after failure of a motion to go with the low bidder, JH Maintenance, a Vicksburg company that offered to provide the service at a cost of $32,546.  City staff had recommended acceptance of the JH Maintenance bid, but commissioners indicated a preference for doing business locally.  The contract ends in the fall of 2009 and covers mowing Riverside Cemetery, city parks and a variety of other city-owned properties. Prior to the meeting, Commissioner Ken Cochran withdrew the bid submitted by his Three Rivers-based business, The Lawncare Specialists.  In supporting the A & E bid, Cochran said, “In this economy, I think it’s very important for us to really look locally first because he’s going to employ people from this community.”

The commission also approved the purchase of an Aqua Swirl concentrator that treats storm water before it is discharged into the river and authorized repair of a centrifuge that dewaters the bio-solids produced at the Clean Water Plant.

The Three Rivers City Commission has recognized departing Fire Chief Danny Cross with a proclamation in his honor. The proclamation, presented by Mayor Allen Balog during Tuesday night’s commission meeting, recognizes Cross for his “exceptional community service from July 15, 1996 to May 16, 2008 and wishes him much success in his future endeavors.” Cross will be returning to his home state of Texas where he has accepted a job as fire administrator with the Beaumont Fire Department.

The president of Glen Oaks Community College, Dr. Gary Wheeler, has announced that any active duty member of the military, spouse or their dependent child shall be considered a Michigan resident for tuition purposes if Michigan is that active duty member’s legal state of residence. Wheeler said, “So, while that active duty military member is stationed in Michigan, the active duty member, spouse, or dependent child of the active duty member, shall be considered a Michigan resident for tuition purposes. Once an active duty member, spouse, or dependent child of the active duty member has been determined to be a Michigan  resident for tuition purposes, he or she shall retain that status as long as they are continuously enrolled in a degree program at a state institution.” According to Wheeler, Glen Oaks will continue to maintain its own residency, tuition, and admissions policies. The college retains the right to require any documentation considered necessary to verify the student qualifies as active duty military personnel, or as the spouse or dependent of the service member. Wheeler said, “Glen Oaks Community College will work to identify and eliminate the obstacles that students from military families face.”

Obituaries

Date: May 6th, 2008

This is school election day in Michigan. In the Three Rivers school district, four candidates are vying for two, four-year terms on the Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education. The candidates are Florence Ingram, B. JoAnn Mundy, John Rentfrow and Waneta Truckey. Rentfrow and Truckey are incumbents. Three funding issues will also be decided in the WLKM listening area today.  Voters in the Colon school district are being asked to approve a bond issue not to exceed $20,115,000 for 30 years to fund building improvements.  In Nottawa Township, voters will consider a proposal to renew a library millage of 1.6351 mills for a period of six years – 2008 through 2013.  And some residents in the northern portion of St. Joseph County will help decide the fate of a request from the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA) to renew a 1.5-mill tax levy for three years – 2008 through 2010. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The budget and related issues were in the spotlight as the Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education met in regular session Monday evening (May 5^th) at Park Elementary School. The attention came through two presentations – one by Trustee Sherrill Susemihl who provided an overview of “fund balance” – the other by Superintendent Roger Rathburn who shared figures looking toward the budget for the school district’s upcoming fiscal year, a spending plan that needs to be in place in about six weeks. Susemihl, a retired teacher, said she assembled the fund balance presentation because she needed to understand it and those in the audience, many of them school employees, also need to understand it as the budget-making process moves forward.  Susemihl said, “I just want to make sure that you walk out of here knowing that I’m not threatening.  I haven’t made any statements like we’re going to do this, we’re going to do that because, honestly, I don’t think we know what we’re going to do yet.” Rathburn followed up by presenting information he and Financial Supervisor Dorothy Woodbury are reviewing as they work toward putting together the budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1^st.  He noted that, on a $24-million budget, the district finished last year with $13,000 left over.  He said, “It looks like this year we’ll have a balanced budget again and I’m hopeful that next year we can be very close to a balanced budget.” Rathburn said, “I’m happy we’re not seeing the financial challenges of other districts that don’t have that safety net, so, you have to think about that.” The Three Rivers school district has nearly 400 employees.  Enrollment in February was 2,925, a decline from 2,994 last September, a count Rathburn described as “the lowest we’ve seen in years.”  Expectations are that the district will regain some of that ground in the next school year and have around 2,960 students.

The Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education has placed the Three Rivers Commercial-News and the newspaper’s managing editor, Elena Hines, on the statewide “Media Honor Roll.”   Trustee Peter Bennett announced the recognition during the board meeting Monday evening (May 5^th).  Bennett read a resolution “calling attention to the ongoing, responsible and exemplary nature of reporting on this community’s public schools.” A certificate accompanying the resolution recognizes the Commercial-News and Hines for “fair and balanced reporting and for providing valuable information to the community about public schools.” Superintendent Roger Rathburn joined Bennett in presenting the resolution and certificate to Hines.

Staff and students from Park Elementary School reported on MiBLSi (my-bliss-ee) – Michigan’s Integrated Behavior and Learning Support Initiative – during the Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education meeting Monday evening (May 5^th). The meeting was held at the school, which is completing its first year as a participant in the program designed to help students become better readers and use appropriate behavior resulting in increased student success in the school and community.  To reach this goal, MiBLSi aims to develop support systems to help educators implement and sustain a data-driven problem-solving model using Positive Behavior Support and research-based reading intervention. Principal Fred Matusik said the initiative is seen as a three to five year process and, in its first year at Park Elementary School, “we’ve already seen significant improvement.” In other business during the meeting, the board:

·             Adopted a resolution in support of the St. Joseph County Intermediate School District General Fund Budget Resolution for 2008-09

·              Adopted recommended policies and guidelines as amended during the first reading at the April 21^st meeting

·               And, with regret, accepted a retirement resignation from Janine Drake and a resignation from Tomoko DeKilder.

The Lockport Township Board has approved new wording for a proposal to authorize millage for a new joint fire station with Fabius and Park townships. Action on the matter came during a 26-minute “Special Called Meeting” at the Lockport Township Hall Monday afternoon (May 5^th) attended by about 30 people. The language proposed by attorney John Bauckham asks voters to approve a millage of five-tenths of a mill for 11 years – 2008 through 2018, inclusive – “for a portion of the construction and acquisition cost of a joint fire station to be shared with Fabius and Park Townships.”  It estimates the levy would raise $51,015 in the first year. The new proposal revises action taken during a May 1^st meeting during which the board voted 5-to-nothing to approve modifications in the initial language prepared by Bauckham.  In comments during the follow-up meeting, Bauckham said he “had some concern” after looking at the amended ballot language.  He said, “I’m sorry to make another special meeting, but I felt it was necessary to do it to get this thing on the right path.” The updated proposal, reflecting Bauckham’s input, was approved on a 4-to-1 vote with Township Clerk Wayne Timm dissenting. Lockport Township voters will consider the joint fire station construction and acquisition millage proposal, along with a second proposal for millage to operate the Lockport-Fabius-Park Fire Department, in balloting on August 5^th.  The operational millage proposal will seek authorization to levy sixth-tenths of a mill for ten years. Supervisor Marty Barth said a “private individual” had offered to pay for a special election to decide the millage issues sooner than August, but the county clerk’s office said it can’t be done that way.

The White Pigeon Fire Department was sent out to a house fire Monday evening on Vistula Road in Mottville Township. Fire Chief Troy Andrews said there was no electric service in the abandoned farm house. . . Arson is suspected. White Pigeon firefighters were assisted by the Constantine Fire Department.

Date: May 5th, 2008

The Lockport Township Board will meet this afternoon (Monday, May 5^th) at 3:30 at the township hall. According to Supervisor Marty Barth, the purpose of the “Special Called Meeting” is “to approve new wording on the ballot language to be voted on at the August election.”

 
The Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education will meet in regular session at 7 o’clock this evening at Park Elementary School in Moorepark. The meeting will feature a presentation by Park teachers regarding Michigan’s Integrated Behavior and Learning Support Initiative which is designed to help students become better readers and use appropriate behavior, resulting in increased student success in the school and community.  Trustee Sherrill Susemihl is also slated to present an overview explaining what the Fund Balance is.     Also on tap tonight are regular meetings of the Centreville Village Council at 7 and the Constantine Village Council at 8.

Three Rivers Fire Chief Danny Cross was honored during a luncheon gathering Friday (May 2^nd) at one of his favorite places, L.A.’s Coffee Café. Firefighters, co-workers from the City of Three Rivers, and friends gathered to say farewell to Cross who is moving back to home territory in Texas after serving as fire chief in Three Rivers for nearly 12 years. A “Best Wishes Danny” cake was among the gestures of appreciation that were a part of the celebration. Cross will return to Beaumont, Texas where he has accepted a position as fire administrator.  His last day on the job in Three Rivers will be May 16^th. During Friday’s gathering, Cross thanked everyone for their support and said of his time in Three Rivers, “This was a good experience for me.”

The St. Joseph County Michigan Works! Service Center has moved to a new location at 16587 Enterprise Drive in Three Rivers.           A program and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday (May 2^nd) marked the official opening of the facility which is across the street from the previous location in the Village Square Shopping Center.           In opening remarks, Mary Oudsema (OWD-see-mah), current chair of the Workforce Development Board for Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties, said – quote – “We’re just delighted to see the turnout this morning and we’re pretty excited about this building, too.  It’s certainly a nice move for the Service Center” – end of quote. Program speakers highlighted various aspects of workplace training activity in the two counties with a special emphasis on Michigan’s “No Worker Left Behind” initiative. Michigan Works! is a customer focused, statewide workforce development system that prepares individuals for work.  Assistance is available to employers and job seekers to ensure that employers are provided with a supply of skilled workers and individuals are provided with an opportunity to advance knowledge and skills to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Michigan Works! receives funding from federal and state governments through the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth.

Three Rivers High School is inviting the public to the 50^th annual Rotary Honors Night banquet for the graduating class of 2008. The banquet will be held on Wednesday (May 7^th) at 6 p.m. in the Three Rivers High School cafeteria. School officials say there will be “a delicious sit-down meal” followed by the awards program in the Performing Arts Center. The main portion of the program will be the various honors and awards including most representative seniors, athletes of the year, D.A.R. Good Citizen, departmental honors, and academic achievement awards. Tickets for the event are available at the high school principal’s office at ten dollars per person.  They may be purchased until the day of the event.  The office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day.

This year’s Three Rivers Water Festival WILL include the 6th annual Classic Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show! That’s the word from Water Festival Chair Deb Herring who reports that “a core committee of organizers has been established and will be working at a fast pace over the next few weeks to pull the show together.” The show will be staged in Historic Downtown Three Rivers on Saturday, June 14^th. According to Herring, additional volunteers are still needed for various duties on show day.  Persons interested in lending a hand are asked to call the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce at 278-8193. Car show registration forms are available at the Chamber office at 57 N. Main Street in downtown Three Rivers. The Chamber is the overall sponsor and organizer of the festival.  This year’s celebration – the 52nd annual – will take place Thursday-Saturday, June 12^th through 14^th.

Tomorrow (Tuesday, May 6^th) is the deadline to purchase tickets for the May 13^th banquet honoring Mary and Taylor Snow of Three Rivers as the “Citizens of the Year.” The Snows, both 70, have long-established ties to Three Rivers, having resided in the community for many years. The banquet in their honor – sponsored by the Three Rivers Lions Club – will be held at A Place In Time, 54 Railroad Drive in downtown Three Rivers. The evening will include a reception at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:30, and a “roast and toast” program thereafter featuring several speakers. Tickets for the banquet, priced at $20 per person, are available at the office of Lion Sally Cotton at FNB Financial, 88 N. Main Street in downtown Three Rivers.  Tickets will NOT be available at the door. Since 1965, the Three Rivers Lions Club has recognized persons who, through a commitment to service, have given unselfishly of themselves for the betterment of the community.

Obituaries

Faye M. Oldenburg, 72, of Mottville Township, White Pigeon, died Saturday.  Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Monday and 10-11 a.m. Tuesday at the Farrand Funeral Home in White Pigeon, where services will be at 11 a.m.

Louise (Sims) Greenwald, 81, of Colon, died Sunday.  The family will receive relatives and friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Schipper Funeral Home in Colon. Funeral services will be on Wednesday at the Factoryville Bible Church at 11 a.m.

Joseph P. Dutka, 93, of  Three Rivers, died Saturday.  Private graveside services were held at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in White Pigeon. A memorial Mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Three Rivers at a later date to be announced.

Mary Condon Lula, 88, of Paw Paw died Saturday.  The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. & 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Hackman-Foglesong Funeral Home of Sturgis where the Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m.. Tuesday. The funeral mass celebrating the life of Mary Condon Lula will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sturgis.

Date: May 2nd, 2008

Striking workers at American Axle said Thursday they have been told the union and the auto parts supplier are close to a deal that could end a two-month strike. It includes negotiating the closure of American Axle's Detroit and Tonawanda, New York forge o