Mendon
GOVERNMENT
Portage resident frustrated by lack of tornado assistance from agencies
PORTAGE, Mich. — Violet Wagner is a former resident of Timber Creek Court, a townhome community devastated by the tornadoes on May 7th. Several residents have been displaced and won't be able to return to their homes. The area was unique in that these were blue-collar workers who were paying between $750-$950 per month on rent, according to Wagner.
County officials celebrate new court building in Three Rivers
THREE RIVERS – Nearly a year after construction began, St. Joseph County’s Three Rivers courts building hosted its ceremonial ribbon-cutting Tuesday. The site houses the county’s Family Court, which is comprised of Friend of the Court, and juvenile and probate court. Their relocation frees up much-needed space at the Centreville courts building.
4-H club focusing on community service
MENDON – A local 4-H leader is adding greater emphasis on community service, with a project completed just before Memorial Day as an example. Edward Klein, leader of the Mendon Green Clovers, said about a dozen members helped place flags at Mendon’s two cemeteries in advance of the Memorial Day holiday. Klein said he is eager to get the 4-H members further involved in the community and St. Joseph County.
Portage has spent $2M on tornado cleanup so far — some say it’s not enough
PORTAGE, MI — The May 7 tornado cost the city of Portage about $5.2 million so far, said City Manager Pat McGinnis. That includes about $3.2 million in damage to city-owned property like parks, telephone poles and trees, and about $2 million in cleanup efforts, including moving crews and overtime.
HUD announces $150 million in housing grants for tribal communities in Michigan
FULTON, Mich. — Leadership from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, is in Michigan this week to announce key investments aimed at boosting affordable housing for tribal communities. HUD Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, Richard Monocchio, was in Fulton Wednesday to...
58-unit housing development gets final approval in Portage
PORTAGE, MI -- Portage’s City Council approved final plans for a 58-unit residential community called Oakland Commons during its Tuesday, May 25 meeting. The new neighborhood is a 12.6-acre site at 9581 Oakland Drive, just north of the Oakland Drive and Shaver Road intersection and south of where Oakland Drive intersects with Vanderbilt Avenue. It includes a mix of multi- and single-family homes:
Kalamazoo County removes invasive species to control flooding and protect ecosystems
Invasive species can clog drains that control water levels and water flow between lakes. Here, phragmites reed grass is encroaching on the drain canal that feeds into Long Lake from Austin Lake in Portage. A pilot project aims to remove invasive species growing near four drains that help regulate water...
Portage utility rates will increase this summer
PORTAGE, MI -- Portage residents will see water and wastewater rates increase this summer. Portage’s City Council approved the 2024-2025 budget during its Tuesday, May 28 meeting. The budget includes $103 million in expenditures and $104 million in revenue -- including money the city receives by providing water and wastewater services.
Here are the complete results from the UAW St. Joseph County Track and Field meet
CONSTANTINE — The 39th annual U.A.W. St. Joseph County All-Star track and field meet was held in Constantine on Tuesday evening. Each of the events was completed as scheduled, except for the girl's mile relay, which was quickly halted by lightning, thunder and an immense amount of rain. The finishing order of that race was determined by the pre-event seedings.
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