Following the sunset of the federal government’s pandemic-related programs like extended unemployment and rental assistance, about 1.3 million Michiganders will receive at least $95 less in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits beginning this month, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Category Archive: News
Following disruptive and threatening behavior at a March 7 Three Rivers City Commission meeting, a majority vote on March 21 could pass a resolution of censure to condemn the behavior and lay out expectations for how At-Large Commissioner Lucas Allen should conduct himself in the future.
The 600-page volume — which the authors describe as “arguably the most comprehensive analysis of opioids in 21st century America” — encourages federal, state and local lawmakers to think “beyond traditional silos” and innovate ways to stem adverse effects of addiction and increasing drug overdose deaths among Americans.
Alek’s childhood friend and standup comedian Rio Riojas stops by Keep Your Voice Down to discuss his recent foray into the world of standup comedy and his upcoming show in Kalamazoo (Wednesday, March 22 at Final Gravity Brewing Company, 8 p.m.). The Bay City native and East Lansing resident tells Doug and Alek about how he got started, how his act has evolved over the last year, his comedic style, how becoming a father has influenced the way he performs onstage, and why you shouldn’t bring your kids to see his act.
Garnering uniform support among Democrats and largely condemnation from Republicans, Senate Bills 76–86 would mandate universal background checks for all firearm purchases in Michigan, require that gun owners safely store firearms that could be accessed by minors, and permit a court to order the temporary removal of guns from someone who may be a danger to themselves or others.
In this week’s Bites with Beca, Beca Welty writes, “By the time we were rolling ourselves out the front door, Maria’s was bustling with energy with every table occupied and a line queuing near the entrance. It seemed Sturgis already knew what we had only just discovered — Maria’s Mexican Restaurant is a true gem in the crown of Mexican restaurants in the community, and we will absolutely be back soon…sunny day or not.”
With Thursday’s planned signing by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of an expansion of the 1973 Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA), LGBTQ+ advocates are savoring a hard-fought victory and looking ahead to where the fight for equal rights goes now.
Three Rivers High School students are presenting their spring musical “Annie” for two weekends running from March 17 through March 26. Tickets are $10 for adults and seniors, $5 for students, and are available for purchase online.
After a six-month comprehensive search, Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF) has named Dr. Grace Lubwama as the new President and Chief Executive Officer. She will begin her new position with KZCF in July 2023.
Irish band Kennedy’s Kitchen will return to the Riviera Theatre in celebration of Three Rivers Promise’s second anniversary with a St. Patrick’s Day concert on Saturday, March 18. Adult tickets are $20, students are free, and all proceeds benefit the Three Rivers Promise.
The Mendon Drama Club will be performing the farce-meets-murder mystery “Clue: High School Edition” for three performances on March 24, 25, and 26 at Mendon Elementary Auditorium. Tickets are not available online, and will only be sold at the door — $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors.
Los Artistas of the Great Lakes, a group of four Hispanic Battle Creek artists, celebrated the opening of their exhibit at the Three Rivers Carnegie Center for the Arts on March 12. The show will be on display for the public to visit through April 11.
A rally will be held on Saturday, March 11 at the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department for Brittany Wallace Shank of Sturgis, who has been missing since 2018.
Naomi Ludman of Dowagiac argues that a resolution recently passed by the Case County Board of Commissioners concerning proposed gun safety laws sends “a very bad message” to potential new businesses and prospective citizens of the county.
Lauded for his dedication to the City of Sturgis and consummate professionalism, Andrew Kuk was offered Sturgis’ city manager position following a 7-1 vote by the Sturgis City Commission.
Second Precinct Commissioner Travis Klinger announced his resignation, effective at the end of April, at the close of Wednesday’s Sturgis City Commission meeting.
At-Large Commissioner Lucas Allen’s outbursts and expletive-laden threats lodged at Mayor Tom Lowry during Tuesday’s Three Rivers City Commission meeting were allegedly a continuation of erratic behavior Allen displayed over the weekend.
Three Rivers Public Library Director Bobbi Schoon returns to Keep Your Voice Down to discuss the library’s involvement with the Smithsonian’s Spark! Places of Innovation program. Spark! explores the unique combination of places, people, and circumstances that sparks innovation and invention in rural communities. The Three Rivers Library will be hosting its very own exhibit alongside a traveling Smithsonian exhibit that will make its way to the library this summer.
Alek, Doug, and Bobbi also discuss Women’s History Month, National Reading Month, and the myriad of ways citizens of Three Rivers can engage with the library.