For many years Midwest Energy Cooperative has recognized excellence among graduating high school seniors with an annual scholarship program. In 2013, Midwest adds an additional scholarship opportunity to help meet needs of non-traditional students. Countless adults have found themselves unemployed and underemployed as a result of the economic downturn and resulting recession, and have pursued [...]

State Representative Matt Lori and state Senator Bruce Caswell were the featured speakers for a ‘Legislative Update’ breakfast Friday morning (February 8th) at the JoCo Center in Three Rivers, an event sponsored by the Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce. The lawmakers dealt with a number of issues in the course of their presentations and [...]

The upcoming weekend will bring the traveling Carnival of Appalachian-roots-rock by Nora Jane Struthers and The Party Line to the Riviera Theatre in downtown Three Rivers! The high energy, Nashville-based quintet will perform Struthers’ original story-songs Friday evening (February 15th) with tight, three-part harmonies, fiddle, claw-hammer banjo, acoustic guitar, bass, and drums. Struthers was catapulted [...]

A record 14 bakers participated in this year’s edition of ‘A Chocolate Affair’, an event sponsored by World Fare, the non-profit, volunteer-run fair trade store located at 37 North Main Street in downtown Three Rivers. World Fare co-founder Kirstin Vander Giessen-Reitsma said there was a good turnout for the event which took place at the [...]

Plans for a micro-brewery in downtown Constantine – noted during the Constantine Downtown Brainstormers ‘Merchant Appreciation Event’ in January – are receiving additional attention through an MLive story by John Liberty. During the January activity that celebrated the accomplishments of 2012 and looked ahead to 2013, Constantine DDA Director Diana Lammott mentioned the goal of [...]

LANSING—Residents of Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties who need tax preparation information can obtain a free copy of the 2013 Michigan Taxpayer’s Guide by visiting Sen. John Proos’ website, the lawmaker said Friday (February 8th). The guide, which is a reference for the 2012 tax year, is designed to help residents prepare their state [...]

LANSING – The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) is pleased to announce that, effective Feb. 4, 2013, Lisa Grost has been appointed as the Autism Coordinator for the state of Michigan, within the MDCH Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Administration. Grost has extensive experience in coordinating and maintaining strong relationships with key and diverse [...]

CENTREVILLE – Starting on Monday, March 4, Spring Arbor University will be offering its Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management degree program at Glen Oaks Community College.  The class sessions meet just one night a week, always on Monday evenings from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., so students can pursue a degree without drastically altering [...]

Ten students attending Constantine Middle School and Constantine High School were chosen to exhibit art at the Michigan Art Education (MEA) regional show at the Open Door Gallery. It located at 101 West Chicago Road in Sturgis. The MEA show will be from 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on February 6-9, February 13-16 and February 20-23. In [...]

LANSING -  Attorney General Bill Schuette Friday (February 8th) praised a significant ruling from the Michigan Supreme Court which found marijuana dispensaries can be shut down under Michigan’s public nuisance law. The 4-1 ruling virtually prohibits all retail marijuana sales.  The Court ruled that sales or transfers of medical marijuana beyond those permitted for the [...]

“I’d like to know what the plans are for that big hole at Wood Street and Fifth Avenue?” That’s the question posed by Fourth District Commissioner Carolyn McNary during the ‘commissioner comments’ portion of Tuesday’s (February 5th) Three Rivers City Commission meeting. Amy Roth, director of the Department of Public Services, explained that the “big [...]

The St. Joseph County Grange Fair has announced the “primary concert information” for the 2013 Fair. Josh Turner will perform on Saturday, September 21st at 8 p.m. with special guest Kix Brooks, formerly of Brooks & Dunn.  Brooks will take the stage at 7 p.m. as the opening act for Turner. Tickets will go on [...]

LANSING – The Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR) has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (OCR), asking the federal agency to issue an order prohibiting the continued use American Indian mascots, names, nicknames, slogans, chants and/or imagery (hereafter referred to as “imagery”). MDCR’s complaint asserts that new [...]

The Constantine Township Library’s popular annual book sale began Friday (February 8th). Director Jane Moe said, “The basic push is the first three days, but if we have items left they could be on display until the end of February.” Books sell for 25 cents – or five the $1.00 – and magazines are $1.00 [...]

The ‘Mural Mall’ reconstruction project in downtown Three Rivers continues to move forward. Christy Trammell, executive director of the Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority, provided the following update via e-mail Thursday afternoon (February 7th): 1.  This week should see the completion of all 6 seat walls (2 at each tier).  We have heard general approval [...]

LANSING – After listening to Gov. Rick Snyder’s presentation of his proposed Fiscal Year 2014 state budget on Thursday, Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, issued the following statement: “The governor’s budget builds on the foundation of success laid down during the last two years and uses that firm footing to increase support for key Southwest [...]

Here’s an update from World Fare regarding ‘A Chocolate Affair’, an event slated for Saturday (February 9th):  

White Pigeon Community Schools, Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. and TowerPinkster, will be hosting a contractor outreach meeting on Tuesday, February 26th, 2013, from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM at Central Elementary School.  The meeting will be to discuss bid requirements and to promote participation in construction projects that will be funded by the 5 year, 3 mill [...]

The cafeteria, kitchen and commons area at Three Rivers High School were busy spots Thursday evening (February 7th) during the 18th annual Empty Bowls Soup Dinner. The event was the culmination of a project in which 1st, 3rd and 5th graders in Three Rivers schools made a clay bowl they donated to this community event.  [...]