Dave Vago, Author at Watershed Voice

Middle, High School Students to Resume In-Class Instruction Wednesday

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Local

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March 23, 2021

Students at Three Rivers Middle and High Schools will resume full face-to-face instruction this Wednesday, Three Rivers Community Schools (TRCS) Superintendent Ron Moag said Monday. In a letter to parents, Moag said the move is the result of a change in the rate of recent, new cases of COVID-19 in St. Joseph County. The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency (BHSJ) provides TRCS with updated pandemic statistics on at least a weekly basis, and Moag announced the move upon receiving a BHSJ report Monday.

Outdoor drinking area approved for downtown Three Rivers

By Dave Vago

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Local

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March 4, 2021

Members of the Three Rivers City Commission on Tuesday approved a new “Main Street Commons” district in downtown Three Rivers. The vote allows next steps to move forward for a proposed, designated section of downtown Three Rivers, in which outdoor consumption of alcoholic beverages would be permitted. Such districts are possible under recent, new rules authorized by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC). These rules, which are to be in effect for five years at the state level, are meant to provide businesses more service options amid pandemic-related restrictions on indoor occupancy.

52 people address Three Rivers school board on hybrid classes

By Dave Vago

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Local

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March 4, 2021

Members of the Three Rivers Board of Education (BOE) heard 52 comments from the public at its online work session this week. Shortly after the start of Monday evening’s livestreamed evening, BOE Chair Erin Nowak read each previously submitted comment aloud to board members, Three Rivers Community Schools (TRCS) staff, and the public. All of the comments pertained to a BOE decision in February to again return to the hybrid instructional mode for middle and high school students.

Allegations against Andrew George addressed before city commission

By Dave Vago

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News

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March 3, 2021

In response to recent discussions regarding Andrew George’s alleged record of conduct as well as allegations against George "from a private situation 12 years ago," Three Rivers DDA Vice Chair Michael Hogoboom read a statement aloud at a Three Rivers City Commission meeting Tuesday evening.

Contentious Meetings Surround Mattawan Wastewater Plant

By Dave Vago

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Kalamazoo

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February 22, 2021

A proposed wastewater treatment plant under consideration by the Village of Mattawan is under fire from a range of critics. Recent village meetings have seen lengthy public comment periods, during which village residents and residents of nearby areas have largely voiced opposition to the plant. Currently, the Village pumps its wastewater to the Kalamazoo treatment system. However, village officials say a six-mile portion of the “forcemain” which connects the two systems requires considerable work to remain in operation.

Road Commission Engineer Receives Award

By Dave Vago

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Local

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February 20, 2021

One of the St. Joseph County Road Commission’s (SJCRC) leading staff recently received the top award in the state for a rural road engineer. At a regular SJCRC meeting Wednesday morning, board members learned that Assistant Director and Engineer Garrett Myland received the “Rural Engineer of the Year” award from the County Road Association of Michigan (CRA). An award also goes to the “Urban Engineer of the Year,” but for the “Rural” title, Myland won over engineers in similar positions all around the state.

Abandonment of Haybridge Road Section Tabled

By Dave Vago

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Local

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February 6, 2021

A decision on the abandonment of a section of Haybridge Road by the St. Joseph County Road Commission (SJCRC) has been delayed pending review by Florence Township officials. The section under consideration runs eastward from Sevison Road, and ends at a condemned bridge over the Fawn River. On the other side of the bridge, Haybridge Road continues past a connection with Block Road, and ends at Engle Road. That section would remain active if the abandonment goes through.

Board of Education Approves Resolution on Restarting Winter Sports

By Dave Vago

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Local

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February 3, 2021

In a reflection of statewide pressure to reopen winter athletic programs and other school activities, the Three Rivers Board of Education (BOE) adopted a resolution in support of lifting statewide restrictions that are currently in place. The resolution asks Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to approve restarting school winter athletic programs. BOE President Erin Nowak clarified that the resolution would not actually reopen Three Rivers Community Schools (TRCS) sports programs and other extracurricular activities, but instead would ask the state to lift restrictions.

Nottawa Road Bridge Project Receives Resolution of Commitment

By Dave Vago

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Local

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January 23, 2021

At a monthly work session this past Wednesday morning, St. Joseph County Road Commission (SJCRC) staff brought board members up to speed on the status of several pending projects, including a statewide “bridge bundling” project that will see a bridge replaced on Nottawa Road. Board members also addressed a few standard procedural items for the beginning of the new year, continuing a series of several such items addressed at a board meeting on January 6.

Colon Village to Hold Hearing on Marijuana Ordinance

By Dave Vago

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Local

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January 15, 2021

At a regular meeting Tuesday night, members of the Colon Village Council voted to schedule a public hearing for a proposed ordinance that would permit medical marijuana establishments to open inside village limits. Specifically, the measure creates language to govern marijuana businesses under the village’s zoning code. The date, time, and location of the hearing are to be determined once officials can locate a suitable venue for anticipated high turnout.

Dave Vago

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