Local News

Photo provided - Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order Monday directing Michiganders to stay in their homes and prohibiting businesses from requiring workers to leave their homes unless they are “necessary to sustain or protect life or to conduct minimum basic operations.”

'Stay Home, Stay Safe': Whitmer issues stay-at-home order for state

LANSING — The message to Michiganders is simple: Stay home and stay safe. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a stay-at-home executive order Monday, which directs businesses to temporarily suspend non-essential operations and directs Michiganders to stay in their homes under certain circumstances...

Sheriff's Department looking for missing Constantine juvenile (UPDATED)

UPDATE 1:47 p.m.: The juvenile has been found safe. CONSTANTINE — The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is looking for a missing juvenile from Constantine. According to police, Kaden Vanwormer was reported missing from the Constantine area on Sunday, March 15. Vanwormer is described as a 14-...

Health Department gives local update on coronavirus

COLDWATER — There are no cases of COVID-19, otherwise known as the coronavirus, in Branch County, Hillsdale County, or St. Joseph counties as of 11 a.m. Tuesday, the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency (BHSJ) announced Tuesday. Although there have been no confirmed cases in the tri-...

City to temporarily suspend utility shut-offs

THREE RIVERS — The City of Three Rivers announced Monday that beginning March 16 through April 5, the city will temporarily suspend water disconnections for non-payment for health and safety reasons surrounding COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus. The city said in a statement that the effort is...

COMMERCIAL-NEWS | ROBERT TOMLINSON - With the coronavirus pandemic spreading, national health officials are recommending people wash hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer, disinfect all frequently-touched surfaces, and use tissues to cover your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze.

Coronavirus: What it is, how to stay safe, and how the growing pandemic is being handled locally

THREE RIVERS — Over the last several days, fears and concerns about COVID-19, better known as the coronavirus, have escalated dramatically in Michigan, and around the country. According to the World Health Organization, as of Friday, 132,000 cases worldwide have been reported from 123 countries...

Cancellations, postponements and event changes due to the coronavirus

With the coronavirus pandemic growing, here is a list, which will be updated, of the different changes, cancellations and postponements to events and institutions that have affected the area. If you have a cancellation or event change you would like to have added to this list, please email robert@...

Photo courtesy City of Three Rivers - Janell Hart, an at-large city commissioner for the past five years, announced she will be stepping down from the city commission on March 17.

Hart to step down as city commissioner

THREE RIVERS — At-Large Three Rivers City Commissioner Janell Hart announced Monday she will be stepping down from the Three Rivers City Commission effective March 17. Hart, who has been a city commissioner for the last five years and has served the community in different capacities for 12 years,...

COMMERCIAL-NEWS | ROBERT TOMLINSON - Christopher Beal, the managing partner for a proposed assisted living facility just outside of Three Rivers, talks to the Three Rivers City Commission about the project during Tuesday’s meeting. The city approved a land transfer agreement with Fabius Township to transfer 20 acres of property in the township adjacent to Meijer and owned by the Beal family for the facility.

City approves land transfer agreement for assisted living facility

THREE RIVERS — The Gardens of Three Rivers is one step closer to reality. The proposed assisted living facility project took a big step forward Tuesday, as the Three Rivers City Commission voted 5-0 to approve an agreement to transfer 20 acres of property in Fabius Township to the city for the...

COMMERCIAL-NEWS | ROBERT TOMLINSON - Over 40 people walked a mile around Three Rivers during Saturday’s Walk for Warmth fundraiser, which began at the Community Action Carol Shippy Center. Over $12,000 was raised for this year’s event, which goes to help families in need in St. Joseph County pay heating bills and other utility costs during the winter months.

Walking for warmth

THREE RIVERS — An air temperature of 28 degrees wasn’t enough to keep more than 40 people, young and old, from walking a mile around Three Rivers Saturday for a good cause. The 35th annual Walk for Warmth occurred Saturday, starting at the Community Action Carol Shippy Center on Broadway Street and...

Photo provided - A storage shed fire occurred at the Three Rivers Lions Club Saturday. According to the Lions Club, a number of items related to Toys for Tots, the Turtle Derby and the Ox Roast were lost in the fire.

Fire destroys Lions Club storage shed

THREE RIVERS — A fire that occurred in a storage shed at the Three Rivers Lions Club Saturday saw the loss of a multitude of Lions Club items related to their work for the community. According to the Three Rivers Fire Department, firefighters were called to the scene at the club located on Sixth...