After a full season’s worth of construction, the St. Joseph County Road Commission (SJCRC) has opened a new traffic circle at the intersection of Farrand and Colon Roads just outside Colon.
Author: Dave Vago
At a Three Rivers Community Schools (TRCS) Board of Education work session Monday, board members discussed the latest updates to the district’s reopening plan, which it will formally adopt at a special meeting on Wednesday, August 12.
Following a request by City Attorney J. Patrick O’Malley, Three Rivers City Commissioners voted Monday to retain special counsel regarding two marijuana-related petitions. O’Malley said the firm of Miller Canfield is handling a number of such petitions around the state, which would place permitting marijuana establishments in cities on local November election ballots.
Watershed Voice has compiled the following guide to local races to provide readers with information about who is running and where to go for voting. This content is free to subscribers and nonsubscribers alike.
A contentious conversation over a statement on racial justice in the midst of recent and current national events continued at a Three Rivers Community Schools (TRCS) work session Monday. Board of Education (BOE) members Dan Ryan, Anne Riopel, and Kevin Hamilton discussed the relative merits of possible wording of the statement, as well as the potential for curriculum changes that might address issues of racism.
Note: This article contains strong language and references to racial slurs.
The Constantine Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has created new grant program to offset the costs of modifying existing older buildings. The program is intended as a recruitment tool to bring new businesses to Constantine’s historic downtown.
Downtown Three Rivers planning its next round of advancement, and is asking the public to help by providing its opinion through a short survey. Building upon its success at opening new businesses in the historic downtown district over the last few years, the Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority and Main Street Program (TRDDA) is receiving a technical assistance service from Michigan Main Street (MMS) and its consultants to begin more proactive business recruitment.
The total running death count from the global COVID-19 pandemic for St. Joseph County climbed from six to seven today, according to statistical charts on county and state websites. The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency (BHSJ) updates statistics daily on its website, as does the State of Michigan.
45th Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman held a continuation hearing Wednesday to determine whether Douglas S. Shuman can undergo resentencing on a 1997 murder conviction, following a Supreme Court decision that grants that right to certain juvenile offenders.
Shuman was convicted of murdering his parents, James and Arunee Shuman, on the evening of February 12, 1997.
Members of the St. Joseph County Commission’s Executive Committee discussed County Prosecutor John McDonough’s status and performance Wednesday morning. Following Wednesday’s meeting Commissioner Dennis Allen told WSV that McDonough said, “he was making progress in his health and returning health-wise. In consulting with his medical doctors, he feels comfortable that they will release him to come back to work before or just after September 1, and that’s his plan at this time.”
Three Rivers Public Library (TRPL) Executive Director Bobbi Schoon informed library board members Tuesday evening that the library is currently advertising three open positions. The announcement follows the resignations of TRPL Children’s Librarian Laura Bultman and Service Specialist Micah Stemaly earlier this month. Both stepped down due to personal concerns, and both positions are now open along with a second Service Specialist position that has been open since March.
At its monthly meeting Tuesday, the Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County (CMH) Board discussed possible revisions to its contract with its CEO, Kristine Kirsch. The changes, which Kirsch proposed to the board after reviewing them with CMH’s attorney, primarily involve putting her existing benefits into writing.
A series of rumors circulating around social media came to Watershed Voice’s attention over the weekend. Most of said rumors have to do with when and how Three Rivers Community Schools (TRCS) will use teachers or other, third-party service providers to deliver virtual, online instruction programs for students. In the interest of confirming what decisions are actually under discussion at TRCS, Watershed Voice reached out to School Board President Erin Nowak and TRCS Superintendent Ron Moag for clarification.
This past Sunday, the George Washington Carver Community Center held a fundraiser at its location on Fifth Avenue and Jefferson Street. The center, a Fourth District community anchor, promotes service activities and serves as a gathering place. Sunday’s event included a barbecue, games, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring a new sign.
Two suspects in a home invasion last weekend were released on bond Monday, re-arrested Tuesday, and then released on bond again Thursday. The suspects, Amber Carpenter and Alexander Zuchnik, entered a home on South Constantine Street in the early hours of last Sunday.
Circuit Court Judge Paul Stutesman heard arguments Wednesday on the admissibility of evidence during a motion hearing for Wade Allen of Sturgis, who is accused of the murder and dismemberment of Kelly-Jien Warner-Miller and has been in custody since last year. The hearing was ultimately continued to allow Stutesman to review materials and transcripts pertaining to the case before issuing a decision.
The Three Rivers City Commission passed a resolution Tuesday supporting the sale of the historic former Carnegie Library building at 109 N. Main St. to the Carnegie Center for the Arts (CCA). The resolution is corrected over previously filed versions with an updated legal property description. CCA occupies the building, which adjoins a historic former bank and a newer building that it already owns.
The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution Tuesday that permits the county to establish contract details for the sale of a building to Covered Bridge Healthcare.