City Commission

Village declines bid

White Pigeon village officials declined to accept a bid on the community’s former municipal office and property. Instead of accepting the $12,500 offer from Joe Winkfine during a special meeting Tuesday, village council members decided to start a new round of sealed bidding. A deadline of 4 p.m. Thursday next week was set. Those opposed to Winkfine’s bid said they …

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Clerk and Treasurer to continue to be elected posts

The positions of clerk and treasurer in Constantine will continue to be elected by village residents. A special vote Tuesday on whether to adopt an ordinance to change the current method yielded a result of 86 people against the measure to 42 in favor of the proposal. The turnout represented 8 percent of the village’s 1,569 registered voters. The village …

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White Pigeon to cut budget

The elimination of its office manager and removing a proposed 3-percent raise to village employees from the table were two steps taken recently by the White Pigeon Village Council. The cuts were part of a money-saving measure the village is taking to help balance a $61,000 shortfall in its projected debts versus revenues. Carol Gilbert, who has served as office …

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Voters to vote on millage in Sturgis

Voters in the city of Sturgis will have an opportunity later this year to decide whether to support a financial request exclusively for road and sidewalk repairs. Members of the city council Wednesday voted to put a millage request proposal before city residents May 7. The question will give city officials an opportunity to dedicate a 3-mil, 10-year property tax …

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Water-main break repaired

Department of Public Works employees in Constantine spent two hours Wednesday repairing a water-main break. The faulty pipe was at the corner of Fifth and Washington streets. Village Manager Mark Honeysett said the pipe had leaked about 250,000 gallons per day over the past week and it was necessary to shut down the entire water system because the hole was …

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Fundraiser for defibrillators

A fundraiser to help the Constantine Fire Department purchase five Automated External Defibrillators is scheduled to take place later this month. A spaghetti dinner is set for 12:30 to 3 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Constantine American Legion, north of the village on U.S. 131. There is no charge but donations are being requested. Chief Mike Haydon said the department …

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Deciding on new police car

Members of the Centreville Village Council are debating whether to purchase a police vehicle to replace the current car. The council is mulling the idea of a Chevy Tahoe. Council member Jeff Johnson said the vehicle – fitted with standard law-enforcement equipment – would cost about $ 35,000. St. Joseph County Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite has been involved in the process …

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Demolition of two properties

Members of the Sturgis Neighborhood Program have presented to city officials bids for demolition of two properties. In September, the Sturgis City Commission toured five tax-foreclosed properties, which the city had purchased in August. Based on the tour, two homes were selected for demolition. The property at 206 Jacob St. has two structures and the property at 506 E. Hatch …

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Reviewing idea for new police vehicle

A three-member committee in Centreville is reviewing the prospect of buying a new police vehicle. Members of the Centreville Village Council designated Dennis Allen, Keith Shears and Jeff Johnson to look into the details and financial impact of such a purchase. Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite informed municipal leaders of a possible $6,000 grant toward the purchase of a new cruiser, which …

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Sturgis ice rink is now open

Sturgis municipal officials said thanks to freezing temperatures, the portable ice rink it recently purchased is open. Located at North Monroe Street and East Chicago Road, the rink is open 8 a.m. to noon daily for hockey. It will be open noon to dusk Sundays through Thursdays and noon to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

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