City Commission

A longtime Three Rivers city employee and community icon has passed away. Ken Baker, who served in a variety of roles for the municipality, died Tuesday evening following a long battle with kidney cancer. He was 71. Baker started his career with the city as a patrol officer for the Three Rivers Police Department. He was later promoted to sergeant …

Tom Lowry will serve two more years as mayor of Three Rivers, as he defeated Larry Nichols in Tuesday’s general election. Lowry, 57, topped the 58-year-old Nichols, 268 votes to 206. Over the course of two tenures, Lowry has served as mayor for 14 years. Meanwhile, Linda Gearhart won the commissioner-at-large position Tuesday and will start a two-year term to …

A write-in candidate for the Sturgis City Commission topped an incumbent during Tuesday’s general election. Precinct 2 commissioner Karen Stephens fell short in her attempt to serve two more years, as she was beaten by Charles Huber, 39 to 15. Four other candidates in Sturgis ran unopposed and will return to the nine-member city commission.

Members of the Sturgis City Commission last week approved tax-break requests for three businesses. The requests for Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificates were granted to Mayer Tool and Engineering, Americraft Carton and Burr Oak Tool. Mayer Tool’s request was for a 12-year abatement of almost $55,000 on the purchase of new equipment. Americraft Carton sought $6.2 million was for new equipment …

Constantine residents north of Locust Street are being advised to expect interruptions in their water service throughout the day today. Village officials said the anticipated interruption is the result of work on the water main on Broad Street, near the intersection of North Washington. The work is necessary for modifications to the road as a part of the work related …

Constantine village and township plan to reimburse more than $200,000 owed to a former manufacturing plant following a reassessment of its property taxes. Village officials this week were told Rexam Closure Systems appealed its 2011 tax assessment. The assessment was $11.2 million but reduced to $4.5 million following its appeal. As a result, the village and township owe a total …

The Three Rivers City Commission has named Doug Humbert as the new superintendent of the Three Rivers Wastewater Treatment Plant. The move by Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners came during last week’s city commission meeting. Humbert replaces James Baker, whose last day is today before joining the wastewater plant operated by the city of Kalamazoo. Humbert is a 10-year employee …

The Three Rivers Area Community Foundation recently awarded more than $13,000 collectively to four area non-profit organizations during its 2013 annual grant cycle.. Three Rivers Food Site was awarded $2,800 to assist with providing area residents with basic and emergency food and personal care supplies. The City of Three Rivers will benefit from a $2,800 grant award that will be …

Brush pick up in the city of Three Rivers has reached its midway point. The city’s Department of Public Services began the pickup process Monday in the Third District. The effort continues today in the Fourth District and Thursday in the Second District. Brush will be picked up just one time this year, DPS officials said. Leaf pickup in the …

Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners last week agreed to two major purchases. In advance of winter weather, the city commission approved the purchase of 5,000 pounds of road salt. The $24,000 transaction will call for 60 percent of the salt to be delivered ahead of the season and the balance will be shipped later in the winter. Also, …