Recent Posts

Doehring appointed as assistant county administrator

Teresa Doehring, St. Joseph County’s human resources director, was named assistant county administrator under Pat Yoder following a vote by county commissioners Tuesday. The 41-year-old Mendon resident was hired in January 2015 to replace Elishia Arver, who also served during a portion of her employment as assistant county administrator. The assignment does not come with a pay increase, Yoder said. …

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Kalamazoo County Transit election results

Voters in Kalamazoo County have approved a five-year renewal of a millage that will fund public transit through 2021. The Kalamazoo Gazette reports unofficial results of Tuesday’s vote included 11,650 in favor of the tax and 8,417 against the measure. The Kalamazoo County Transportation Authority had sought approval of the property tax to fund public transit, including the Metro County …

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Enbridge predicts $62M in fines, penalties tied to oil spill

A pipeline company says it expects $62 million in fines and penalties related to a Michigan oil spill. In a filing Monday with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Enbridge says $55 million represents penalties under federal water law. The Alberta-based company says no final fine or penalty has been ordered yet as negotiations continue with the U.S. government. Enbridge says …

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State Supreme Court to hear more about risks of big-box lots

The Michigan Supreme Court is taking a look at the risks facing shoppers, drivers and stores in big-box parking lots. Virginia Rawluszki suffered a brain injury when she was hit by a car as she left a Menards store in the Bay City area in 2011. She later died at age 72. Her family says Menards had a duty to …

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Out and About – Week of May 2nd

I’m sure it was more than a couple of years ago that I mentioned the fact that Bowman Park, on North Main Street, doesn’t contain a single bench. Lafayette Park, which is also located on North Main Street, across from Hoppin School, has at least two benches. I mention this only because a reader asked me why this was the …

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Several matters of new business for city commission

Two public hearings and four matters of new business will be fielded by the Three Rivers City Commission this evening. An IFT application for a 10,000-square-foot expansion by Metal Technologies and a zoning amendment to a B-2 Zoning District for light industry will be staged during the public-hearing process. New business to be discussed by the commission features a boundary …

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Hundreds of cars on display at Mendon car show

Organizers of Sunday’s Mendon Dust-Off said more than 300 cars were on display at the 53rd annual event. Heidi Alexander, president of the Three Rivers Car and Antiques Restorers Club, said considering the cold weather and steady drizzle, she was happy that so many people decided to be a part of the show anyway. She said the event, which took …

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Potential amendments to municipal loan process

St. Joseph County officials are expected to approve a few amendments to their municipal loan fund process. County administrator Pat Yoder said the matter arose through discussions with various townships. One in particular is looking into the purchase of a fire truck, an expense projected to be about $500,000. The township, Yoder said, has saved $100,000 and it will likely …

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Sturgis man arrested following break-in

A 36-year-old Sturgis man was arrested last week after he was discovered unauthorized inside an apartment unit. Sturgis police were called shortly after 1 a.m. Friday to the 200 block of North Clay Street in response to a break-in. Officers entered the unit and discovered the intruder. He was charged with second-degree home invasion, possession of methamphetamine and possession of …

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Area establishments receive food service awards

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency’s Board of Health released its annual “Certificates of Excellence” in food service for the year 2015. Award recipients represent food establishments that met stringent criteria to adhere to safe food-handling practices. Ninety-two tri-county food service establishments, including restaurants, bars, catering kitchens and schools, received this year’s award. In St. Joseph County, the 35 award-winners …

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