City Commission

Three Rivers city officials are in the midst of working out a potential ordinance regulating collection boxes. The matter was most recently discussed at the commission’s Feb. 4 meeting, when Mayor Tom Lowry indicated his preference for the boxes to be banned within the city limits. Lowry said the boxes take resources away from the community and do not provide …

A Sturgis-based business was awarded a 12-year tax abatement this week by members of the city commission. Midwest Plastics Engineering Inc. on Wednesday was granted the abatement for an investment in new equipment. The addition will help retain 40 jobs at the facility and create 10 new positions, company officials said. It is investing more than $190,000 in four injection-mold …

Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry said he has been informed the municipality has received three grants. During last week’s city commission meeting, Lowry said the grants are in the combined amount of almost $7,500. The first, a $750 award from the Dr. Pepper/Snapple group, will be used for expenses related to clean-up projects during the city’s Community Pride Day coming …

Discussions regarding a potential sidewalk snow-removal ordinance in Three Rivers began Tuesday, when the Three Rivers City Commission explored the issue. Mayor Tom Lowry said a final proposed ordinance could be several meetings away, but he said hearing that children are walking in the street to and from school because sidewalks are not shoveled by adjacent property owners is alarming. …

The city of Three Rivers has granted an Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption for W.E. Slitt Sheet and Co. During Tuesday’s meeting, the city commission agreed to the 12-year abatement for personal-property improvements in excess of $467,000. As a result, the Jefferson Street company expects to retain 28 jobs and create one new position. A company official said the majority of …

Officials from the city of Sturgis wish to pass along that due to the recent inclement weather, utility bills will be estimated for the month of January. Bills for water, sewer and electric will be estimated based on past usage. When meters are read this month, the difference between estimated bill and actual usage will be included in the February …

The city of Sturgis has expressed interest in purchasing a piece of property along a busy stretch of West Chicago Road. City Manager Mike Hughes said Sturgis Bank and Trust has put up for sale the Wood Motel, a longtime business on the south side of the road, just east of the Centerville Road intersection. The city was informed it …

The cities of Three Rivers and Sturgis will pay a bit more per entity to fund the county grant-writer position. During action earlier this month, the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioner lowered its financial commitment to the three-way agreement, from 70 to 50 percent of the $64,000 cost. Three Rivers and Sturgis will now pay 25 percent each, a …

Three Rivers officials intend to look at a potential sidewalk snow-removal policy following concerns raised during a commission meeting last week. Three Rivers Board of Education member Waneta Truckey said children walking to and from school are forced into the street when sidewalks are not cleared of snow. The fact children are walking in the streets is a safety concern, …

The Newell A. and Grace A. Franks Fund, held by the Sturgis Area Community Foundation, is leading the way for the facelift and relocation of Sturgis’ historic depot building later this year. Working with the Sturgis Historical Society, Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce and the city of Sturgis, the Newell and Grace Franks Fund is offering grant funds for the …