City Commission

A former Sturgis Citizen of the Year and one-time city commission member has passed away. Jo Ellen Oster, 64, passed Tuesday following a bout with cancer. The 1998 Sturgis Citizen of the Year, Oster served at different times as a city commissioner, member of the Downtown Development Authority and the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce. Her late husband, John, is the …

Four properties will be sold to the Sturgis Neighborhood Program, as the measure was approved last week by the Sturgis City Commission. The properties are at 210 S. Maple; 400 E. West; 701 S. Orange; and 1502 Sunnyfield. Collectively, the sale of the four properties totals more than $72,000. Three of the properties were acquired by the city in 2013 …

White Pigeon village officials have agreed to spend about $2,600 to replace damaged and faded street signs. During Wednesday’s village council meeting, the seven-member panel heard president Dan Czajkowski explain that many of the village’s signs are difficult to read because of their age and years-long effects of the elements. He said it is a matter of safety that the …

An update on the 2014 White Pigeon Days community celebration was provided during Wednesday’s village council meeting. Representatives from the White Pigeon Days Committee said a permit for the parade on U.S. 12 has been secured and will take place on opening night, July 11. Other attractions include a dodge ball tournament, inflatable attractions for the kids, food and crafts …

White Pigeon village officials have deferred a matter regarding outdoor, wood-burning boilers until more information can be gathered by a council member and zoning official. A month after village council member Shireen Cline raised health-related concerns about the devices, the panel on Wednesday agreed to have Cline meet with Doug Kuhlman, zoning administrator for the village. The two will review …

Two incumbents will likely be returning to the Three Rivers City Commission later this year, while a third will be involved in a contested race. City clerk Melissa Bliss said an August runoff vote will not be necessary, meaning Second District Commissioner Alison Haigh and Fourth District representative Carolyn McNary will run unopposed in November’s general election. Incumbent Daryl Griffith, …

Longtime Sturgis resident Mark Dvorak was appointed to the Sturgis City Commission Wednesday. With a seat to the nine-member commission open as a result of Michael Wilson’s move from the city’s Third Precinct, Dvorak received four votes from the commission. Kimberly Wilson received two and Mark Ritter earned one endorsement. Dvorak will serve until the term expires in November 2016. …

Mendon Village Manager John Hyden said the Mendon Downtown Development Authority is offering a $10,000 façade-improvement matching grant. Any business willing to dress up the front and/or rear of its exterior, make improvements such as new windows or doors, or refresh or upgrade landscaping, is eligible for the matching funds. He said three business owners have already hired contractors to …

Potential action on an ordinance regarding wood-burning furnaces in the village limits could be taken by White Pigeon municipal officials next month. The issue was discussed at length during Wednesday’s village council meeting, where President Dan Czajkowski said he is eager to see the matter put to rest, no matter what direction the seven-member panel takes. He said the council …

The city of Three Rivers has issued a media release indicating a number of improvements are underway at the Three Rivers Farmers Market. City Clerk Melissa Bliss said a vendor meeting next week will yield more information about the revamped farmers market. The meeting will take place at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Three Rivers City Hall. Questions about the meeting …