News

TRCS issues statement detailing Pride flag removal controversy, next steps

THREE RIVERS — In the wake of increased criticism following a highly-publicized decision by Three Rivers Community Schools to remove Pride flags from Three Rivers Middle School classrooms, there is now more information on what led up to the incident. In a statement to the Commercial-News Wednesday...

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...

Parent complaint leads to removal of pride flags at TRMS

THREE RIVERS — Three Rivers Middle School teachers Monday who had pride flags in their classrooms were asked to take them down until further notice because of a parent complaint. According to an email sent to staff Monday morning by Middle School Principal Jason Bingaman obtained by the Commercial-...

TR police investigating suspicious death

THREE RIVERS — Three Rivers police are investigating what they consider to be a suspicious death that occurred Saturday morning. According to police, at 6:12 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, officers from TRPD and the Three Rivers Fire Department were called to the area of Liberty Street and Fourth Street...

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. “...