City Commission

With a forecast calling for more than four inches of snowfall, the city of Sturgis has declared a snow emergency. The measure went into effect at 11 o’clock Tuesday night and will remain in place until routes are cleared between two successive street intersections. The emergency means parking is prohibited on all city streets in order for plow trucks to …

Three Rivers City Manager Joe Bippus and his wife, Cheryl, were crowned the winners of the inaugural Dancing With the St. Joseph County Stars event Friday. Staged at Glen Oaks Community College’s Nora Hagen Theater, the fundraiser featured six teams. The couples and their respective coaches volunteered their time as part of the fundraiser to benefit the St. Joseph County …

The village of Centreville has announced it is seeking nominations for its annual Citizen of the Year recipient. Candidates are typically chosen based on their community standing and involvement. Committee members ask that nominations also include details about organizations, hobbies and other factors to consider in selecting the citizen of the year. Nominations should be made in writing and delivered …

The village of Constantine was awarded a grant in excess of $240,000 Friday from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. During a ceremony at the village office, municipal leaders accepted the money awarded as part of a Downtown Infrastructure Grant. The $242,000 gift was contingent on an $80,000 match from the village. Village Manager Mark Honeysett said the funds will help …

Concerns about the city’s recommendation to leave a trickle of water running as a precaution against frozen pipes were expressed during last week’s Three Rivers City Commission meeting. Residents Jim Everett and Helen Dettmar asked Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners if residents who adhere to the request would be given a break on their water bills. City manager Joe Bippus …

Three Rivers city officials have approved the sale of a house that is part of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. During last week’s city commission meeting, final approval was given for the sale of the residence at 516 Eighth St. for $86,000. Mayor Tom Lowry said the sale marks the third residence constructed by the city and sold through the NSP …

Members of the Constantine Village Council have agreed to participate in the 2014 Mayors’ Exchange Day. Organized for the past 17 years by the Michigan Association of Mayors and Michigan Municipal League, the exchange will take place in May and involve Constantine Village President Pat Weiss and other municipal officials. The exchange community has not yet been identified. Council president …

Members of the Three Rivers City Commission could be less than a month from approving an ordinance regulating donation boxes. Following discussion on the matter during Tuesday’s meeting, Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners ironed out a few specifics to a draft ordinance presented Feb. 4 by city attorney Pat O’Malley. With the feedback presented Tuesday, O’Malley will make revisions and …

The Sturgis Electric Department has been given approval to proceed with the purchase of a new bucket truck and a mini-derrick aerial lift. The bucket truck and aerial lift will be purchased from Altec for a combined $ 221,528 and come from the motor-vehicle fund included in the current year’s budget. It is intended to replace a 2002 model in …

The Three Rivers City Commission on Tuesday took a step closer to establishing a sidewalk snow removal ordinance. After commenting on a draft prepared by city attorney Pat O’Malley, Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners directed O’Malley to document a small number of revisions and present a potential final draft at the commission’s March 4 meeting. The issue resurfaced in January …