Constantine Tech High School (CTHS), an alternative education program, held its graduation ceremony on Thursday (May 23) in the LGI room at Constantine High School. School board president John Schuler presented diplomas to Shawna Pifer, Deanna Chupp, Jessica Tackett, Danielle Copas, Alycia Carpenter, Elizabeth Robinson, Brandi Fry and Alex Wood. Also graduating but not attending [...]

The Three Rivers City Commission has authorized improvement of the St. Joseph River crossing manhole just south of Broadway Street. The action came Tuesday evening (May 21st) when the commission awarded the work to the low bidder on the project, Northern Construction Services Corp (NCSC), at a cost of $9,100. The manhole was the source [...]

LANSING, MI – The flag of the United States has been ordered lowered to half-staff in Michigan on Monday, May 27, 2013 in honor of Memorial Day. This recognition is asked to be observed until noon of the same day at which point it should be raised to the peak. “It is a great honor [...]

The collapse of a portion of the Interstate 5 Bridge in Northwestern Washington State Thursday evening (May 23rd) has prompted the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to review the inventory of similar bridges in Michigan.  According to Nick Schirripa, Communications Representative with MDOT’s Southwest Region office in Kalamazoo, 49 such bridges were identified in Michigan, [...]

Reform will help homeowners save money  The House on Wednesday (May 22nd) approved a package of bills that would eliminate regulatory hurdles that burden job creators who are providing access to new technology through the installation of advanced home monitoring systems. The measures were approved with strong, bipartisan support. House Bills 4591 and 4737, introduced [...]

Parades are slated Monday (May 27th) in many ‘River Country’ communities as part of the observance of Memorial Day. The accompanying graphic from the River Country Tourism Council provides a brief and colorful overview of what’s planned. For additional information covering a broader area, click on the following link to an MLive story by Tom [...]

A Weekly Almanac Guide Plan, Do, Finish, Rest. Living in Harmony With Earth Weekend of May 25-26, 2013 Click on the link to access this feature from Larry-Michael and Becky Lynn Hackenberg – The Cycles of Earth – May 25, 2013

Long-term solutions needed for healthy Michigan, transportation infrastructure LANSING, Mich. – The governor and legislative leaders agreed Tuesday (May 21st) on spending targets for next year’s state budget, with the bulk of increased revenue from Michigan’s growing economy going to the key priorities of K-12 education and state roads. Gov. Rick Snyder, Senate Majority Leader [...]

There was a ‘full house’ in the Three Rivers High School gymnasium Thursday evening (March 23rd) for Commencement Ceremonies honoring the ‘Class of 2013’. Here are photos that provide several glimpses from this special occasion. Best wishes to all the new graduates from the River Country Journal!  

Members and guests of the John S. Barry Historical Society viewed the Vercler slide show at a meeting held Tuesday (May 21) at the museum. It was shown by President Kevin Mallo. The slide show was compiled by the late Dr. Marvin Vercler, president of the Barry Society for many years. One slide was of Sweetland [...]

LANSING – Mosquitoes are out in full force already this year, and the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) is offering consumers mosquito mitigation tips and reminding them to exercise care when applying insect repellents such as DEET, lemon eucalyptus, and picaridin.  Excessive use of insect repellents containing DEET can result in adverse [...]

A groundbreaking event at Central Elementary School in White Pigeon early Wednesday evening (May 22nd) celebrated community support for improvement projects in the White Pigeon school district that will be paid for through a 5-year renewal of a sinking fund millage overwhelming approved by voters in May of 2012. Ron Drzewicki, superintendent of the White [...]

The 53rd Senior Honors Night, sponsored by the Constantine Rotary Club, was held Wednesday, May 15 at  Constantine High School. The event highlights the recipient of the McManus-Lake Award, a Rotarian scholarship. This year the award was presented by Rotarian Mark Honeysett to Lance Lumadue. Teachers and various speakers presenting the awards gave heartfelt speeches. [...]

The Three Rivers City Commission has balked at a request for a special use permit to allow retail sales at a site in a residential area along Millard Street. Although no action was taken Tuesday evening (May 21), the commission indicated opposition to granting permission for Ecig Best Save Inc. to conduct sales of electronic [...]

House began debate on bipartisan H.R. 3 to allow construction of job-creating Keystone XL pipeline – similar legislation was needed 40 years ago to achieve construction of the Trans-Alaska pipeline WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, delivered the following remarks Wednesday afternoon (May 22) on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, [...]

Three Rivers Area Mentoring is busy preparing for the annual Stand for Children picnic.  This event is always held on or near June 1 and the goal is to raise awareness in the community of the many needs of children.  TRAM is asking for volunteers to help set up booths, to sign people in, to [...]

Editor’s Note:  The following news release was provided by the committee to Keep Michigan Wolves Protected, 5859 W. Saginaw Hwy. #273, Lansing, MI 48917.  Information from the Michigan Secretary of State regarding the wolf hunt referendum follows the news release as does a link to an earlier River Country Journal story on the subject based on a [...]

Many changes are currently underway at the Three Rivers Farmers Market.  Rates have been lowered, times and days have been changed, and effort is going into marketing, advertising, and promoting the market.   These changes have attracted vendors and the City of Three Rivers has announced that all 10 market spaces have been filled for the [...]

Sheriff Brad Balk reports that narcotics investigators from the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics (SCAN) unit executed search warrants Tuesday (May 21st) on suspected methamphetamine production locations. The first search warrant was executive in the 58000 block of US-131 in Fabius Township while the second was executed in the 18000 block of South River Road [...]

At-Large Commissioner David York intends to leave office prior to the end of his current term in November. In brief remarks during the ‘City Commission and City Manager’s Communications’ portion of the Three Rivers City Commission meeting Tuesday evening (May 21st), York said he has purchased a home on Ash Road and, thus, will be [...]