News

The Chiefs mascot in White Pigeon appears to be safe following a federal decision to dismiss a case in which the use of Native American names and images would be banned in 35 Michigan school districts. The Michigan Department of Civil Rights had sought the ban, which would have included White Pigeon’s use of Chiefs as the school mascot. The …

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program is recognizing Sturgis-based Girton Farm as a verified farm in the Cropping System for implementing appropriate pollution prevention practices. The program assists farmers to comply with state and federal environmental regulations and with Right-to-Farm practices. Technical assistance was provided by the Branch Conservation District. MAEAP is a …

A guided tour of the City of Three Rivers Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) early Tuesday evening (June 11) provided an opportunity to view the current operation of the facility and learn about the items completed during a $4.1 million plant improvement project. Elected officials, community members, and local industrial customers were invited to attend the ‘project completion presentation and guided …

The Park Township Board has approved an Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption Certificate sought by American Metal Fab for personal property in the amount of $768,175. The 12-year tax abatement for replacement equipment and new equipment will enable the company to retain its 58 employees and, hopefully, add to its workforce in the future. Action on the matter came during the …

Acting on the recommendation of the township’s Road Committee, the Fabius Township Board has approved improvements on four roads in the Latvian Subdivision off Day Road at an estimated cost of $33,488.36. Authorization to move forward with the road work came during the board’s June meeting Wednesday evening (June 12). The project will involve hand patching with hot mix asphalt …

The non-profit, Three Rivers-based organization *culture is not optional (*cino) has completed its purchase of the former Huss Elementary School in Three Rivers. As noted in a Tuesday (June 11) post on The Huss Project website, “As of today at 3:15 p.m., we signed the final papers and received the deed to the historic Huss School building in Three Rivers, …

Schmidt’s Family Amusements is back in town with many fun rides and games for the young and daring during this year’s Three Rivers Water Festival! The midway will open at 4 p.m. on Thursday (June 13) and will remain open until 10 p.m.; Friday’s hours are from noon until 11 p.m., and Saturday’s hours are from 11 a.m. until midnight. …

The Lockport Township Board is continuing to move toward signing a 15-year fire protection service agreement with the City of Three Rivers Fire Department (TRFD), beginning in 2014. In keeping with unanimous action during their May 13th meeting to accept a three-point proposal from Three Rivers, board members agreed Monday evening (June 10th) to move ahead with development of a …

The village of Colon is nearing a goal of $8,000 to purchase new Christmas decorations. A fundraising effort spearheaded by the village and the Colon Area Chamber of Commerce will result in the purchase of 29 new decorations, which will be put on display in the downtown area for about six weeks starting around Thanksgiving. Chamber and village council member …

Three new appointments to the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging Board will likely be made before the end of the month. Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week were advised that Jean Skalski of Three Rivers, Beverly Burnham of Centreville and Lillian Carter of Constantine have requested their appointments to the board not be renewed. …