LAWRENCE – A rabid bat has been identified in Van Buren County. The bat was collected from a home in Lawton, according to a press release from the Van Buren Cass District Health Department (VBCDHD).This is the first case of rabies in an animal in Van Buren County this year. The last time an animal in Read More…
News
Downtown TR homeless resource center seeks DDA support; public hearing set after debate
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — A debate on both sides last week ultimately led to the scheduling of a public hearing to determine what support should be given to a new downtown homeless resource center. At its Thursday, Sept. 14 meeting, the Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority board scheduled a public hearing for Read More…
Ordinance amendment for marijuana consumption lounges goes up in smoke
By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — The possibility of recreational marijuana consumption lounges in Three Rivers has seemingly gone down in flames. During their meeting Tuesday, the Three Rivers City Commission shot down the second reading of an ordinance amendment that would have allowed for consumption lounges to apply for a special exception use Read More…
SPS Board approves settlement with Perez
By Dennis Volkert Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education on Monday approved a settlement agreement in the case of Perez vs. Sturgis Public Schools, filed in 2018.The case made its way to U.S. Supreme Court, then was re-directed to United States District Court’s Western District of Michigan.The agreement is a full settlement, release of all Read More…
Progress continues on West Congress Street in Sturgis, contingency budget approved to complete project
By Dennis Volkert Sturgis City Commission approved a supplemental contingency budget of $45,000 for the West Congress Street improvement project.The road work, between South Centerville Road and South Clay Street, had languished within the past month, due to various issues. City engineer Barry Cox outlined the situation for city commissioners at their meeting Sept. 13.Initially, Read More…
Funding structure approved for Sturgis High School video scoreboard project
By Dennis Volkert Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education approved a video-scoreboard plan for Sturgis High School.Cost for the program is estimated at $75,000 annually, for five years. The project will be funded entirely through sponsorship revenue. Instead of pursuing a loan, the district will pay for the project up-front through its public improvement fund, to Read More…
City establishes guidelines for ‘extreme weather’ facilities
By Dennis Volkert Sturgis City Commission approved amendments to zoning ordinances to accommodate “extreme weather” facilities. At the meeting Aug. 23 commissioners meeting, city staff presented details regarding amendments to the zoning ordinance. The center could be used to accommodate residents during extreme weather conditions. That could be a heat wave or frigid weather. At least one Read More…
Clare Public Schools to ask voters again to approve bond proposal
By Kaitlyn Campbell The Clare Public Schools bond proposal that was voted down in May will be on the ballot again in November with changes.After listening to feedback from the community after the proposal in May was turned down by voters, the school has made some changes to the proposal, which includes reducing the total Read More…
Harrison seeks investors for new hotel project
By Kaitlyn Campbell The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) has provided a toolkit for cities to “help shape the future of their communities by building strong foundations of planning, zoning and economic development practices.”The kit, which was developed by experts, encourages communities to “proactively plan, engage stakeholders, and become more attractive to developers,’ with the Read More…
Faces in the Crowd: Cody and Careline Burke
Talk about a busy summer.Cody and Careline Burke – who met in 2019 while working at Kelley’s Restaurant in McBain – have had an eventful one, to say the least.Married on June 11th, the McBain graduates took over ownership of Kelley’s Restaurant on July 1st.And they’re incredibly grateful. Grateful to former owner Kevin Kelley for Read More…