WSV’s Deborah Haak-Frost writes, “Clearly, any gardener knows that some aches and pains come with the territory. As an otherwise-fairly-healthy-ish 32-year-old, though, I’m a bit frustrated that my body is exhibiting tendencies of one that has endured much more time and wear.”
St. Joseph County
Doug and Alek are joined by Pastor Devon Miller of Florence Church of the Brethren Mennonite to discuss what it’s like leading a congregation during a global pandemic, being a religious leader in the 21st century when so many young people have walked away from the church or were never introduced to it in the first place, and restorative justice as it relates to conflict resolution and healing.
The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners will meet in-person Tuesday, April 6 for the first time this year. Up to 25 people will be allowed into the room including members of the public but the meeting will also be broadcast live via Zoom.
A proposed solar farm in Fabius Township is generating more controversy than energy at the moment. The project, which is in the “very preliminary” stages of development, has some township residents concerned about how it would affect property values, how it may look, and whether it will affect lifestyles of those who live nearby.
Registration is now under way for summer and fall classes at Glen Oaks Community College, and students can take advantage of an increase in on-campus classes.
Residents of St. Joseph County will have an opportunity to rid themselves of hazardous household waste and recycle their old electronics, tires, paper and appliances yet again this year.
The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners and the Three Rivers City Commission will both hold regular meetings as planned this evening, Tuesday, March 16.
The St. Joseph County Commission Tuesday decided it will return to in-person meetings on Tuesday, April 6.
Watershed Voice set out to find how this pandemic is affecting young people in southwest Michigan, speaking to local mental health experts and teens alike. Throughout the past year, the coronavirus pandemic has drastically altered lives across the world; people have lost their jobs, lost loved ones, and had to put their lives on hold. That feeling of going on pause has especially affected young people, who feel removed from some of the most formative years of their lives. It’s no wonder these feelings of isolation and helplessness have taken a toll on child and adolescent mental health.
WSV’s Amanda Yearling writes about the tremendous potential of Michigan Reconnect, a new program that offers an opportunity for students above the age of 25 to attend their local community college tuition free.
The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution Tuesday recognizing the philanthropic efforts of Robert and Marilee Yoder who recently donated $10,000 to St. Joseph County Veterans’ Affairs.
Doug and Alek are joined by local author and Park Township Trustee Tom Springer to discuss his book “The Star in the Sycamore,” the ongoing negotiations between Park Township and the Three Rivers Public Library, and why getting involved in local government is so important.
A group of hardworking volunteers has already begun to plan the 2021 64th annual Three Rivers Water Festival. This year’s Festival will return following the first-ever cancellation of last year’s event, made necessary by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Three Rivers City Commissioners Clayton Lyczynski and Alison Haigh questioned whether Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority Chair Andrew George should be reappointed during Tuesday’s commission meeting. Lyczynski cited George’s involvement in a suit filed against the city concerning a petition to place a marijuana ordinance on last November’s ballot, questioning George’s “integrity” and “desire to do what’s best for the city.”
The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners discussed the possibility of returning to in-person meetings after Tuesday’s virtual meeting was interrupted by internet trolls in a practice called “Zoombombing” or “Zoom raiding.” Unidentified persons briefly hurled racist and homophobic epithets at commissioners and those in attendance before Chairperson Dennis Allen temporarily stopped the meeting.
The U.S. had a mental health professional shortage before the pandemic, and Southwest Michigan was no exception. Every county in Southwest Michigan had been designated as a mental health professionals shortage area by the Healthcare Resources and Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The Three Rivers Police Department responded to two separate incidents of motor vehicle theft this week, both of which resulted in the recovery of the vehicles in question.
St. Joseph County Prosecutor Dave Marvin addressed the St. Joseph County Commission’s executive committee Wednesday concerning an exception to the county’s hiring freeze, a request Marvin has submitted more than once during his first two months in office in an effort to get his house in order.