Dave's Latest Articles
Glen Oaks Issues Special Recognition Awards, Postpones Graduation
Normally, Glen Oaks Community College (GOCC) announces the recipients of its Special Recognition awards during its spring commencement ceremony. However, after the ongoing pandemic led to the cancellation of the 2020 ceremony, GOCC President Dr. David Devier said the college “made the decision to include the 2020 graduates as part of the May, 2021 commencement ceremony.” In the meantime, Devier said, “the college wishes to announce several individuals who are being recognized this year.” Devier’s announcement came in a press release issued by GOCC Tuesday. There is a total of five awards. Four of the awards each has one recipient, while one award has two recipients.
Road Commission Agrees to Pay Half of Damages to Sprinklers on Roadway Property
The St. Joseph County Road Commission (SJCRC) voted Wednesday to pay half the total amount to replace sprinklers damaged by road work equipment in White Pigeon Township earlier this year. Residents in the Wahbememe subdivision had sprinklers installed outside their own property lines and within the property of adjacent, county-owned throughfares when road work required use of a grader, which uses a long, narrow, horizontal blade to scrape roadbed surfaces level. After discussion, commissioners agreed to pay half the replacement costs and to warn that items placed in roadway property in the future could be subject to damage without compensation. Commissioners also approved health plans, received updates on road work, and conducted an annual evaluation for Managing Director John Lindsey.
St. Joseph County Courts Renovation Moves Forward in Planning
At a regular meeting of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Tuesday, commissioners approved an expenditure of $53,000 toward planning and design services for the proposed renovation of the county’s Courts Building. The design work will be performed by Tower Pinkster Design Services. The Courts Building is an annex to the county courthouse.
Three Rivers School Board Receives Guidance on Racial Equity Issues
At a work session Monday, members of the Three Rivers Community Schools (TRCS) Board of Education (BOE) participated along with staff and administrators in an instructional dialogue on racial disparities and justice in schools. The session was facilitated by Dr. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell, who is the Director of Diversity, Belonging, Equity, and Inclusion for Kent Intermediate School District. The session was structured around a key priority identified in the TRCS strategic plan, assuring a safe and secure environment for students, both physically and emotionally.
Election Results: Carra Wins Race for 59th District State Representative
As of 10:59 p.m. Tuesday night, with just under 72 percent of St. Joseph County precincts reporting, Republican Steve Carra led Democrat Amy East for the seat of 59th District Representative in the Michigan Legislature by a margin of approximately two to one. At that time, Carra carried 12,200 votes in the county to East’s 6,775. He also held a significant lead in Cass County. Speaking from St. Joseph County Republican Party Headquarters in Three Rivers around 11 p.m., Carra said his campaign was declaring victory. Results are also in for several other contested, local races.
Three Rivers Health Negotiating to Join Beacon Health System
Three Rivers Health (TRH) has signed a letter of intent to join northern Indiana-based Beacon Health System. Pending final approvals, the agreement would take effect in the spring of 2021. In a press release Tuesday, TRH said the new partnership “will provide expanded access to care across our region.” TRH operates a 60-bed hospital in Three Rivers serving St. Joseph County, Kalamazoo County, and surrounding areas.
Three Rivers Area Voters Share Thoughts at Busy Election Day Polls
Area polling stations have reported busy, steady traffic this morning for General Election Day. In the city of Three Rivers as well as in Lockport, Park, and Fabius Townships, officials said absent voter ballot returns have been high, and in-person voters waited in lines that stretched out of buildings.
Three Rivers Woman’s Club Seeks Exit From Carnegie Building
During closing comments at a regular Three Rivers City Commission meeting Monday, City Manager Joe Bippus said the Three Rivers Woman’s Club (TRWC) is seeking alternatives to its current space in the Carnegie Building, which it shares with the Carnegie Center for the Arts (CCA). The City currently owns the building but leases it to TRWC, which subleases it to the CCA. Earlier this year, the CCA and the city entered into a Buy-Sell Agreement that set initial terms for the CCA to buy the building. That agreement stipulated that the CCA and TRWC agree to a new lease, but the parties have been at an impasse for several months over questions of building access.
City of Three Rivers to Pursue Grant for Expansion at American Axle Plant
On behalf of American Axle and Manufacturing (AAM), the City of Three Rivers will be applying for a grant to help fund an expansion project at the company’s Three Rivers plant. At a regular meeting of the Three Rivers City Commission Monday, commissioners approved the measure after a public hearing. In cooperation with Southwest Michigan First (SWMF), which is helping coordinate the project, the city will be applying for a Federally-funded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Commissioners also improved changes to zoning language that will permit multiple single-family homes per parcel of land in R4 residential districts.
