Local News

COMMERCIAL-NEWS | ROBERT TOMLINSON - Three Rivers Police Chief Tom Bringman (center) stands next to TRPD Detective Sam Smallcombe (left) and St. Joseph County Sheriff Mark Lillywhite (right) at a retirement reception for Bringman Tuesday, Nov. 16 at Three Rivers City Hall. Bringman is retiring after more than 47 years at the department and the last 14 and a half as chief.

Bringman honored for service at retirement reception

THREE RIVERS — After over 47 years with the Three Rivers Police Department, Tom Bringman is hanging up his hat for good. The law enforcement community in Three Rivers and St. Joseph County, as well as local community members, honored the service of Three Rivers’ longtime police chief with a...

Photo courtesy Rick Cordes - Enjoying canine companions, St. Joseph County veterans gather on the courthouse lawn to celebrate the pairing of Marine veteran Doug Porter, left with Labrador retriever Sierra. Center, Army vet Nate Schemenauer stands with golden retriever Oscar, whom he might be paired with, and, right, canine trainer Nicole Adamski handles Labrador retriever November, who’s been adopted by Army veteran Laura Riley, all through a special county Veterans Affairs initiative.

Dogs paired with veterans in SJC

CENTREVILLE — November 16 was a big day for Marine veteran Doug Porter. Arriving at the St. Joseph County courthouse, Porter was greeted by Veterans Affairs director Stoney Summey, canine trainer Nicole Adamski and Sierra, the black Ladrador retriever companion dog who was prepped and ready to...

COMMERCIAL-NEWS | ROBERT TOMLINSON - St. Joseph County Road Commission Manager John Lindsey stands next to the agency’s pile of 7,500 tons of sand-salt mix that will be used when the road commission plows roads this winter season.

Road commission prepares for winter season

CENTREVILLE — Winter is coming, and the St. Joseph County Road Commission looks to be ready to go for the upcoming season. After what Road Commission Manager John Lindsey called a “pretty light winter” in 2020-21, even considering it one of the lightest of the last 10 years in terms of money spent...

DDA approves updated terms for Whitehouse parking lot

THREE RIVERS -- The Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority approved new sale terms for the Whitehouse Building parking lot during a special meeting Friday. Under the new agreement, the DDA would donate the lot to the City of Three Rivers so the city can enter into an agreement with building...

COMMERCIAL-NEWS | ROBERT TOMLINSON - White Pigeon Village Council President Tyler Royce announced a special meeting Nov. 30 for the Tasty Nut Shop’s structural inspection report following discussion on the village’s water project during Wednesday’s council meeting.

White Pigeon begins plans for Phase 2 of water project

WHITE PIGEON — White Pigeon officials approved the beginnings of the second phase of its water system project at its regular meeting Wednesday. The White Pigeon Village Council approved $145,000 for the Jones Petrie Rafinski (JPR) planning and architectural firm to engage with a historic...

City gears up for reconstruction of Seventh St.

THREE RIVERS — One of the bigger road projects coming in the next calendar year started the preliminary planning process Tuesday. The Three Rivers City Commission approved a $98,600 purchase order to authorize Fleis & Vandenbrink to complete design work for a complete reconstruction project of...

McGraw announces run for state House seat

Citing concerns over the leadership in Lansing and the direction of the state, local businessman Scott McGraw recently announced his candidacy for state house in St. Joseph and Cass counties. McGraw, a Republican, is the current Sixth District chairman and formerly the Kalamazoo County chairman. “...

County approves two budget amendments for Sheriff's Dept.

CENTREVILLE — As part of a few budget amendments passed by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Tuesday, two notable ones for the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department were approved unanimously by commissioners. The amendments involved a department policy review from Lexipol, as well as a...

Constantine Council updated on fire station condition

CONSTANTINE — The Constantine Village Council reviewed a report by structural engineer Nick Barnitz, requested by fire department chief Mike Haydon, on the damage at the fire station, at a Monday, Nov. 15 council meeting. Barnitz said in his report the building is 84 years old, and there is...

COMMERCIAL-NEWS | ROBERT TOMLINSON - Marjorie Hamminga, owner of the Tasty Nut Shop in White Pigeon, stands behind the counter of her shop on the corner of Chicago Road and Kalamazoo Street. The building housing the shop is under scrutiny due to structural integrity issues, which may force the 150-year-old building to be torn down, along with the 100-year-old Tasty Nut Shop.

Fate of Tasty Nut Shop building hangs in the balance

WHITE PIGEON — The fate of a nearly 150-year-old building and a 100-year-old business in White Pigeon appears to be coming down to a single structural inspection report. The building that houses the Tasty Nut Shop, a staple in the White Pigeon community, and an adjoining catering business, located...