Recent Posts

City commission hears water concerns

Concerns over lead-polluted water in Three Rivers were voiced at last week’s city commission meeting. WWMT is reporting that city officials and community members have been discussing this issue ever since homes in the area tested positive for lead in August. However, Mayor Tom Lowry said it’s not so much a local issue but more so a nationwide issue. Lowry …

Read More »

New apartment complex coming to Centreville

A commercially and residentially underserved area of Centreville will soon include a new apartment development and a retail development featuring a self-serve laundry facility. What will ultimately be a 54-unit apartment complex on the west end of town is situated on the south side of M-86. Though much further delayed in development, a different and unrelated project has cleared hurdles …

Read More »

Diaper Bank program extended

The Diaper Bank program serving St. Joseph County has been extended through September 2024. Department of Health and Human Services’ Lori Williams said there have been several changes in the guidelines and regulations. For example, age requirements have been lifted; the service can now be provided to any age child and pull ups are now an option; and senior citizens …

Read More »

Whitmer signs Reproductive Health Act

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last week joined advocates, doctors, faith leaders and state leaders to sign the Reproductive Health Act. The package of bills repeals restrictions on abortion care that criminalized nurses and doctors, forced health care providers to close, raised costs for patients and restricted access to abortion. The Reproductive Health Act builds on efforts to expand access to abortion in Michigan after the …

Read More »

Out and About – Week of November 28th

Now that Thanksgiving is in the history books for this year, it’s time to get started on the Christmas shopping. Most of the time our shopping adventures go smoothly, but every so often, we hit a speed-bump and need to deal with someone in Customer Service. Should that happen, you might want to check out some of these suggestions so …

Read More »

Drug-related deaths analyzed in SJC

Nine of the 11 drug-related deaths in St. Joseph County last year involved either methamphetamine or fentanyl, according to the county’s medical examiner, Joyce deJong. She said there have been six drug-related fatalities in St. Joseph County through the first half of 2023. In every case, meth and/or fentanyl were involved, deJong said. Eight men and five women were drug-overdose …

Read More »

Appointments made to SJC boards

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners made appointments and a re-appointment during their meeting this week. The board re-appointed commissioners Ken Malone and Rick Shaffer, and appointed John Kroggel, to the county’s Parks and Recreation Commission. Meanwhile, Ivin Riddle was re-appointed to the Department of Health and Human Services board. Also, Amanda Miller was appointed to the Pivotal Board. Pivotal …

Read More »

TR Lions club seeks monetary donations

The Three Rivers Lions Cub is seeking donations to provide food and toys to area families. Civic group members said the club’s annual Christmas newspaper insert will not be published this year, crippling what was previously an effective medium to promote the Lions Club’s holiday project. Financial donations for the 2023 fundraiser can be sent by mail to Box 134, …

Read More »

Eight puppies abandoned along rural road north of Sturgis

St. Joseph County Animal Control last weekend took in eight puppies found abandoned by the side of the road in Sherman Township. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman said it appears the 2-month-old puppies were intentionally left by the side of Borgert Road. A passerby reported the litter to Animal Control Sunday, Bingaman noted. The puppies have been to a veterinarian and are …

Read More »

SWMLC launches membership drive

Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy has launched its year-end “Force for Nature” membership campaign. Agency officials said the goal is to continue doing critical conservation work of protecting and restoring ecologically important natural areas in southwest Michigan. As part of the Force for Nature membership campaign, current and past SWMLC Board members have joined to pledge $150,000 toward meeting a $400,000 …

Read More »