Dave Vago, Author at Watershed Voice

Three Rivers Schools Revise Reopening Dates

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News

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January 12, 2021

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.

Road Commission Approves 2021 Budget; Bippus Recognized for Service

By Dave Vago

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Local

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December 18, 2020

The St. Joseph County Road Commission (SJCRC) approved its 2021 Fiscal Year budget at a work session Wednesday. As passed, the 2021 budget includes a rough total of $12.5 million in projected revenues and $13.1 million in projected expenses. Commissioners and staff also recognized outgoing commissioner John Bippus for his 10 years of service.

School Board Keeps Plan to Reopen January 25

By Dave Vago

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Local

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December 15, 2020

During a special meeting Monday, the Three Rivers Board of Education (BOE) voted to approve a plan to reopen schools to in-person and hybrid instruction on January 25. After discussion that continued from a previous meeting on December 7, BOE members decided not to approve a modification of the Three Rivers Community Schools’ (TRCS) “Return to Learn” (R2L) plan that would have continued all-virtual remote instruction for middle and high school students beyond the start of the next semester.

Three Rivers School Board Weighs 2021 Pandemic Options

By Dave Vago

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Local

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December 8, 2020

At a work session Monday evening, members of the Three Rivers Board of Education (BOE) and Three Rivers Community Schools (TRCS) administrators weighed options for returning to school following the New Year. After some discussion, the BOE tabled any final decisions on the matter pending a review and clarification of further options by administrators. Further discussion will take place at a special meeting next Monday, December 14, scheduled at 6 p.m. for the purpose of reviewing an annual TRCS budget audit.

County Road Commission Reviews Draft 2021 Budget

By Dave Vago

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Local

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December 3, 2020

The St. Joseph County Road Commission (SJCRC) reviewed a draft budget for next fiscal year at a regular meeting Wednesday evening. Managing Director John Lindsey presented the draft to commission members with the caveat that they review it thoroughly and offer revisions before the next time they meet for a work session on December 16. The working 2021 draft budget currently includes a rough total of $12.5 million in projected revenues and $13.1 million in projected expenses.

Schools Extend All-Virtual Learning into January

By Dave Vago

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Local

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December 1, 2020

Three Rivers Community Schools (TRCS) announced this afternoon that all school buildings will remain closed to in-person instruction into January. In response to a pandemic health order issued earlier this month by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), TRCS began fully conducting instruction for all in-person and hybrid students through online streaming. That closure was scheduled to last through the expiration of the HHS order, which occurs on December 8.

Despite Limitations, Three Rivers Christmas Event Brings Visitors

By Dave Vago

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Local

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November 30, 2020

Christmas Around Town, the annual holiday celebration in downtown Three Rivers, took place this past Friday and Saturday with a lighter schedule than normal. Pandemic restrictions issued earlier this month meant curtailing a variety of things, and organizers further trimmed back an already curtailed event. However, there were still activities, and perhaps 200 people came out on Friday evening and Saturday to partake in them.

Controversial Park Township Propane Review Tabled Until December 3

By Dave Vago

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Local

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November 21, 2020

Following more than three hours of conversation Thursday, the Park Township Planning Commission still had questions to ask about a rezoning application for a possible propane distributor on Highway M-60 Thursday. Commission members heard comments from the township zoning official, three attorneys, the property’s applicants, and 14 members of the public. Commissioners reviewed, adjusted, and approved a comprehensive list of statements called a “Finding of Facts.” With more of the review process still ahead of them, the commissioners voted to put the meeting into recess until 7 p.m. on December 3.

Three Rivers School Superintendent Reviewed; Online Learning Discussed

By Dave Vago

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Local

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November 20, 2020

During a special meeting Thursday, the Board of Education (BOE) said it found Three Rivers Community Schools (TRCS) Superintendent Ron Moag to be “effective.” The statement came at the end of a closed session that lasted well beyond two hours. Thursday’s meeting concluded a two-meeting process wherein BOE members conducted Moag’s annual performance evaluation, facilitated by Rod Green of the Michigan Association of School Boards. During closing comments, BOE members also discussed the status and future of online instruction in the district.

More Changes Planned for Three Rivers Christmas Around Town

By Dave Vago

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Local

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November 20, 2020

The annual Christmas Around Town event in downtown Three Rivers will see some further modifications to its program in light of pandemic health orders from the state earlier this week. Some features will continue as planned previously, while others will be postponed or cancelled pending further developments from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Dave Vago

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