The ‘Economic Growth and Innovation Partnership Proposal’ from Trine University in Angola, Indiana will receive further attention during a meeting Thursday evening (April 21st) at the St. Joseph County Intermediate School District building on Shimmel Road near Centreville. Commissioner Donald Eaton noted the meeting during the second ‘Citizens Comments’ portion of Tuesday’s (April 19th) St. [...]
Is it time to pursue a countywide ‘enhancement millage’ in St. Joseph County? Peter Bennett, a trustee on the Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education, answers the question in the affirmative and would like to move forward to get such a proposition on the ballot “no later than a year from now.” Bennett raised [...]
Glen Oaks Community College is among the potential players in the proposed ‘Economic Development and Innovation Partnership’ between St. Joseph County and Angola, Indiana-based Trine University. Dr. Gary Wheeler, president of Glen Oaks, discussed the proposal and its relationship to the college during “A River Country Conversation” interview with Bruce Snook of the River Country [...]
Sharon Melko, a former employee of the St. Joseph County Intermediate School District (ISD) and special education monitor, made a special presentation to the Constantine Board of Education Monday evening (March 7th), giving the staff high marks. “Special ed is multifaceted and multilayered,” Melko said. “It’s a new teaching staff in special ed, some of them have been here only 1-2 [...]
Chuck Frisbie, superintendent of the Constantine Public Schools, and several members of the Constantine Board of Education met informally with citizens Monday (July 23) to brainstorm and come up with ideas to get voters to pass the Headlee override in the upcoming November 6 election. The board discussed whether or not to change strategies with this election and [...]
Saturday (June 9th) is the day for the ‘grand opening’ of Spirit Springs Sanctuary, a new nature preserve on Dutch Settlement Road, northwest of Three Rivers. The Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy (SWMLC) welcomes the public to celebrate the grand opening of this 124-acre natural property of rolling forest and wetlands with scenic views, located north [...]
On Saturday, July 31st, people from all over will gather at River Lake Inn near Colon, Michigan to see Ruby-throated Hummingbirds captured and banded. But, it is the hummingbirds that will set the record from distance traveled to be there—flying more than 4,000 miles round-trip since they left the area last fall! Weighing about the [...]
The Michigan House Thursday (June 9th) approved sweeping legislation reforming teacher tenure laws, which Rep. Matt Lori, R-Constantine, said will strengthen education for all Michigan children. The Teacher Quality Package, which encourages accountability at all levels of education, was approved by the Michigan House of Representatives following a number of committee hearings on reforming the [...]
A veteran Three Rivers resident – at age 68 – is embarking on a new career as a massage therapist. During a recent interview with the River Country Journal, Judy Gilchrist said, “It’s hard to believe at my age I’m starting my third career and this is the best place for me right now.” Gilchrist [...]
The Trine “Development Agreement” that will be the focal point of a public forum and hearing next week is now available via St. Joseph County’s website at www.stjosephcountymi.org. In action Tuesday evening (July 5th), the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners scheduled the combination forum/hearing for Wednesday, July 13th, at 6 p.m. in the Commission [...]
Despite a period of wind-driven heavy rain, Historic Downtown Three Rivers was a busy spot Friday evening (July 23rd) with the synergy of two simultaneous events – Three Rivers High School class reunion activity and an ‘Art & Music Hop.’ The ‘Class of 1965’ – hitting the 45-year mark since graduation – extended an “invitation [...]
Legislation was approved this week by the Michigan House that would move school board and intermediate school district elections to November general elections in even-numbered years. “This switch is a common sense reform that is long overdue,” said state Rep. Brad Jacobsen, R-Oxford. “We have had too many instances of low voter turnout and elections [...]
Schools date back to the time of the early settlers. The Puritans in Massachusetts started schools to teach basic reading and math skills. Some geography and civics were added but the curriculum was limited and focused for 250 plus years. At the beginning of the 20th century society began to assign additional responsibilities to the [...]
Musician Bill Ballenger and a group of young adult actors he tours with pack a powerful punch at schools through the country and abroad with the motivational show “Break the Grey.” The troupe put on the show for Constantine Middle School and High School students on Monday (November 14th) and will be performing for Burr Oak, Centreville, Colon, Mendon, Sturgis and Three Rivers. [...]
The Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education has approved implementation of an ‘Employability Skills Report Card’ for Three Rivers High School. The action came Monday evening (May 23rd) in response to a presentation by Joel Messenger and Julie Howe of the high school staff and their request to move forward with the program. In [...]
The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners will conduct the second public hearing on the ‘Trine University Economic Growth Proposal’ Tuesday evening (July 26th). The hearing will be the focus of a special board meeting in the Commission Room of the Historic Courthouse in Centreville, beginning at 6:30. Commissioners agreed to schedule the hearing during [...]
The Constantine School Board met with staff members for breakfast and an informal discussion of goals for the next 5-10 years at the Harvey House Restaurant on Saturday (January 28th). School Board President John Shuler commented the board needed more input from the community. “The Headlee got voted down several times in our district. We need to let people [...]
More than 400 spectators watched the “Fighting 5th Graders vs. Riverside Elementary Staff” basketball match, held Saturday (March 16) in the Constantine High School gym. The event was held to celebrate March is Reading Month. Admission was free and every child who is a Constantine elementary school student received a free book for attending the [...]
As a way to cope with a personal tragedy, Natasha Burch put on a brave face and she and her two children, Caitlyn and Ryan, came up with ideas to give to the community. “After my husband Gary passed away unexpectedly in April of this year, showing the children the benefit of doing things for [...]
DOWAGIAC – While showcasing all facets of local history, the Museum at Southwestern Michigan College’s collection of Round Oak Stove artifacts could easily make SMC’s museum the country’s ‘Unofficial Round Oak Museum.’ A new “Uniquely Round Oak” exhibit will further highlight the rarest Round Oak artifacts. An open house with light refreshments will be from [...]
