City Commission

Not surprisingly, a low voter turnout was recorded in three municipalities where elections took place Tuesday. In Three Rivers, about 5 percent of the city’s 5,100 registered voters participated in an uncontested election that saw Mayor Tom Lowry secure an additional two-year term. The 59-year-old Lowry, who has served as mayor of St. Joseph County’s second-largest community for 16 years, …

It’s election day and voters in three St. Joseph County communities will head to the polls. In Three Rivers, a newcomer is expected to join three incumbents to the municipality’s seven-member city commission. All four positions are uncontested, meaning 16-year mayor Tom Lowry will oversee the commission for at least two more years. Joining him will be Jared Hoffmaster and …

A decision by the Sturgis Planning Commission will allow various types of fencing in the downtown central business district designed to accommodate some new commercial uses. City officials last week said outdoor eating areas, mainly at locations that serve alcohol, must have perimeter fencing to cordon them from general pedestrian traffic. Some commercial fencing also is expected in the area …

Three items of new business and a public hearing regarding a parks and recreation master plan are on the agenda for this evening’s Three Rivers City Commission meeting. Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners are expected to discuss the position of city assessor, a DDA investment request and a proposed resolution electing the hard-cap limits on public employer contributions to medical …

A request by Three Rivers High School to stage a fireworks display during its football team’s senior night will be up for discussion at tonight’s Three Rivers City Commission meeting. Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners will consider authorizing a permit for the display, scheduled to take place Oct. 16. Also on the agenda is discussion on accepting financial support from …

The Constantine Village Council has investigated and validated a claim that the Constantine Township Library has been overcharged on its water-sewer bill since 2007. Village manager Mark Honeysett said the library has two water meters— one for the building and one for lawn sprinklers. The problem centered on water to irrigate the lawn, which ran through both meters, Honeysett noted. …

A village president in Michigan is trying to ban recordings at the community’s offices and the surrounding grounds, prompting opposition from those who don’t want restrictions at the public building. Just before the end of a recent council meeting, Goodrich Village Council President Mark Baldwin announced a ban on recordings. The announcement was met with talk of a lawsuit and …

St. Joseph County officials agreed to move forward with the idea of potentially funding new ball fields in Three Rivers and Sturgis. During a board of commissioners work session Tuesday, board members debated the merits of funding tournament-caliber athletic fields in Three Rivers and Sturgis. A trio of Three Rivers officials – mayor Tom Lowry, city manager Joe Bippus and …

Three public hearings will be staged this evening before members of the Three Rivers City Commission. The first is a show-cause hearing regarding the parcel of land at 621 S. U.S. 131, the second centers on the city’s proposed 2015-16 budget and general property tax act, and the final is a user fee ordinance update. In other business before Mayor …

An additional use for a proposed, senior center has prompted Sturgis city commission to seek new maintenance assurances from St. Joseph County. County officials recently added a 1,100-square-foot adult day care space to the initial plan for the $2.6 million development, now called Community Enrichment Center. Plans show it added to the southwest corner of the proposed building that will …