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Park Township Special Meeting Tonight Now Virtual Only

A special meeting of the Park Township Planning Commission scheduled for this evening will now take place entirely online. On the township's website, an announcement states that due to a pandemic-related health order issued last Sunday by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the meeting will take place using the Zoom online meeting platform. The announcement includes information on how to participate.

Sheriff’s Department Investigates After Centreville Man Struck on Shimmel Road

Deputies from the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department (SJCSD) are investigating a vehicle-pedestrian incident that occurred early Wednesday morning in Nottawa Township. According to a press release by Sheriff Mark A. Lillywhite, the incident occurred on Shimmel Road near Timm Road at approximately 5:50 a.m., when a pedestrian walking southbound on Shimmel Road was struck by a northbound pickup truck. The truck continued on after the collision without stopping.

More Three Rivers Schools to Close This Week

With additional closure orders in place and pandemic case numbers continuing to spread, Three Rivers Community Schools (TRCS) announced on Wednesday evening that it plans to close additional school buildings later this week. On Sunday, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a new order that required high schools around the state to close. TRCS subsequently closed the middle and high schools to in-person instruction on Monday, taking all classes to a virtual setting. Elementary schools will now also be subject to closure.

Lutz Road Reconstruction Under Consideration for Next Year

A short stretch of Lutz Road heading south from Three Rivers may be up for reconstruction soon. Garrett Myland, Assistant Manager and Engineer for the St. Joseph County Road Commission (SJCRC), said in a report Wednesday he is pursuing a longer-term project to have Lutz Road rebuilt in its entirety from Highway M-86 all the way to U.S.-12. Working toward that larger goal, Myland is seeking a handful of grants to help rebuild the road's first two miles from M-86 south to Fairchild Road in 2021.

Coleman to Serve on County Road Commission

Jack Coleman, who recently ran for the seat of 59th District Representative in the Michigan legislature, has a new position in St. Joseph County. At a regular meeting Tuesday evening, the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners (BOC) appointed Coleman to an upcoming vacancy on the St. Joseph County Road Commission (SJCRC). Coleman will replace John Bippus in the position, which turns over after January 31.

Presentation Hints at Improvements in City Development

Following a regular meeting of the Three Rivers City Commission Tuesday night, representatives of several city boards and staffs held a joint meeting and presentation on current planning and development activities in the city. The meeting is required going forward as part of something called the Redevelopment Ready Communities process (RRC), which is a program of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). The RRC process is designed to help municipalities around the state improve their processes, laws, and planning documents to better facilitate and manage development.

Three Rivers School Board Reviews Performance Numbers

At a regular Board of Education (BOE) meeting Monday evening, Three Rivers Community Schools (TRCS) principals and administrators discussed current performance amid ongoing pandemic measures. Through a series of presentations led by TRCS Curriculum Director Nikki Nash, principals from each of the TRCS buildings discussed where current performance measurements stand among students, and what measures they are taking to improve student engagement and results.

Commission on Aging to Cease its Group Activities

The St. Joseph County Commission on Aging (COA) joins a growing list of other agencies announcing curtailments of services in compliance with an order issued Sunday by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). For COA, the order means temporary cancellation of all group activities at its Three Rivers and Sturgis enrichment centers while the HHS order is in effect starting Wednesday, November 18. The HHS order expires on December 8, 2020 but could be subject to extension.

St. Joseph County Facilities, Courts to be Closed to Public

In a press release Tuesday, the St. Joseph County staff announced the Historic Courthouse building will be closed to the public beginning November 18 and continuing through December 8, 2020. The closure comes following a COVID-19 related order issued Sunday by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The HHS order is in response to a statewide spike in COVID-19 cases that began several weeks ago.

Local Meetings Primer: City, County Commissions Meeting Tonight

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners and the Three Rivers City Commission will both hold regular meetings as planned this evening, Tuesday, November 17, 2020. In lieu of face-to-face meetings, both will be conducted via the Zoom online meeting platform, which is also accessible by telephone. There will be public comment opportunities at both meetings. Following are summaries of discussion and action items at each.

A NOTE FROM OUR EDITOR

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