City Commission

Members of the Three Rivers City Commission later this year are expected to award a contract for the job of redesigning the downtown mural mall. Steven Bishop, representing Grand Rapids-based Fleis and VanDenBrink Engineering presented drawings of the proposed project to Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting. Funding for the nearly $1 million project came from a $750,000 …

Now that it has completed residential brush removal, the Three Rivers Department of Public Services will begin fall leaf pickup today. DPS officials are reminding the public that any household that include items other than leafs will potentially damage equipment and likely result in a code-enforcement citation. Leaves may be placed in the street along the curb but not in …

The city of Three Rivers and Three Rivers Community Schools both landed a handsome windfall Tuesday from St. Joseph County’s largest employer. During a ceremonial check presentation at Three Rivers-based American Axle & Manufacturing, Mayor Tom Lowry was given $400,000 from American Axle officials. The city will retain $300,000 of the amount, while the $100,000 balance was earmarked for the …

The Three Rivers Public Library is expected to move forward with a plan to reconfigure its parking lot. Located on the south side of West Michigan Avenue, the library is planning to improve traffic flow in its lot, revise signage and address its landscaping with low-maintenance trees and bushes. The plans were presented to Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners during …

The Three Rivers City Commission will be losing a member of its seven-person panel next month. Commissioner Judy Gilchrist announced during Tuesday’s meeting that she is moving out of state and, consequently, will vacate her First District seat Nov. 5. Gilchrist, 70, said she is getting married and she and her husband-to-be will be living in Oregon. She was unopposed …

The city of Sturgis has announced its final brush pickup for 2012 begins this week. City officials ask that any brush designated for pickup be placed in the terrace area for collection. Brush should not be placed beyond the curb in the street, as such a measure can be dangerous for vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians. Collection crews ask that brush …

Colon Village President Tom Whitford said the long-abandoned Lamb Knit Goods has a new owner. Located at the southwest end of the community, the distinguished, 23,000-square-foot brick building was sold to Mervin Mishler, a 42-year-old Amish man from LaGrange. Whitford said Mishler intends to restore the building and use it as a mercantile center for area vendors. Whitford said Mishler …

The Three Rivers Department of Public Services has announced it will be flushing hydrants starting Tuesday and the process should continue through the month. For now, the flushing is slated to take place weeknights starting at 11 o’clock and continuing to 5 a.m. DPS officials said some rusty water may be experienced during this time. Any city resident experiencing prolonged …

Crews from the Three Rivers Department of Public Services reported a sanitary sewer overflow from a manhole Wednesday afternoon in the 100 block of West River Drive. DPS officials said the overflow was the result of blockage caused by a rag. Crews cleared the obstruction and cleaned the area. As a result of the backup, approximately 400 gallons of sanitary …

The third “Generate Sturgis” event last week resulted in an award of $1,000 to a White Pigeon teacher for the concept of what she called Make-It, Take-It. “Generate Sturgis,” where residents with unique and practical business ideas pitch their concepts to city officials, drew five contestants last week. Theresa Hazard’s concept was voted the best idea, which called for a …