City Commission

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

Constantine village manager Mark Honeysett has declined a raise offered by the village council. In lieu of the raise and at Honeysett’s request, funds will instead go toward a budget allocated to the village’s police cars. The village budgets $4,800 for such expenses, but with the increased cost of gas and with Honeysett’s request, the fund will increase to $5,400. …

Constantine village officials have passed a resolution to honor recently retired police Sgt. Robert Studabaker. Studabaker on Dec. 31 ended a career that exceeded 32 years with the Constantine Police Department. Village Manager Mark Honeysett, who was one of four chiefs under whom Studabaker served, said Studabaker maintained a level of competence and professionalism that benefitted the Constantine Police Department. …