Doug and Alek are joined by Malachi “A+scribe” Carter(The Unapologetics Podcast) who shares his thoughts on Lady Gaga’s Hunger Games-esque Inauguration outfit, President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party’s lengthy track record of exploiting Black people for political gain, and why Hamilton is problematic. The trio also gush over the powerful performance and presence of National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman, and share the biggest holes in their respective cinematic repertoires.

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.

With the help of his sister Barbara Humes, who is retired after 31 years with IAC Mendon and has been baking and catering just as long, Ralph Humes resurrected R. Stanley’s, which used to call 618 South Main Street home some 20 years ago as a dine-in and takeout spot. R. Stanley’s returned this week in the form of a pop-up diner, operating out of Venue 45 in downtown Three Rivers, making family meals to-go.

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.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced Wednesday that some pandemic restrictions are being loosened. Legislative Republicans, however, continue to push for a full reopening and have threatened to hold up Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s appointees and withhold federal COVID-19 relief dollars.

Dates for reopening Three Rivers Community Schools buildings to students have changed following a Board of Education meeting Monday. Pre-K through fifth grade students will now begin attending school in person next Tuesday, January 19. Middle and high school students will return to hybrid learning as previously planned on Monday, January 25. However, they will now return to full face-to-face instruction two weeks later, on February 8. Also at Monday’s meeting, new school board members were welcomed, new officers were chosen, and Superintendent Ron Moag provided an update on current capital improvements.