City Commission

Two key employees for the village of Constantine have been awarded two-year contracts. Village manager Mark Honeysett and police chief Jim Bedell were recipients of the two-year agreements. Honeysett said he had been working without a contract for three years. The new agreement is almost identical to terms of the previous contract, including a $54,000 annual salary. Chief Bedell, meanwhile, …

A longtime former member of the Three Rivers Zoning Board of Appeals has been appointed to the Three Rivers City Commission. Larry Matson was selected Tuesday from a pool of three candidates interested in filling the seat left vacant by Ken Baker. Baker resigned from the commission April 2 due to health-related issues. Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners during Tuesday’s …

The first of what could well be a number of trailway master plan meetings in Sturgis took place last week. About 50 people attended the session, which centered on ideas and potential routes, corridors and connections for non-motorized traffic. Participants noted existing roadways – including Congress and West streets in Sturgis – along with abandoned railroad rights-of-way could be utilized …

After just two years celebrating Dam Days, the city of Sturgis is changing the name and focus of its annual community celebration. Municipal officials were notified this week that the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce is going to call the 2012 festival Sturgis Fest. Cathi Abbs, chamber director, said “Where the Good Times Roll,” is the theme of the inaugural …

Constantine village officials said plans for a new business setting up at the former Rexam plant remain on track. Village Manager Mark Honeysett said the Fort Wayne, Ind.-based Nature’s Fuel has signed a sales agreement on the purchase of the Rexam site. Honeysett, however, said the transaction remains in progress and a closing has not yet taken place. Honeysett said …

The Centreville Downtown Development Authority recently hired the first program manager in its 21-year history. Carol Snow-Penn, a Centreville native, said her goal is to help the village fill its vacant storefronts and market downtown Centreville as an attractive place for business. Snow-Penn said she would like to see the village establish a farmers market. In addition, she will suggest …

The Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority welcomed more than 10 new businesses in 2011 and was awarded a façade grant for two downtown buildings. Christy Trammell, DDA director, recently provided the annual report to the Three Rivers City Commission. Trammell said noteworthy achievements in 2011 included the establishment of a local historic district, a retail incubator program called Project Start …

Mike King, proprietor of the Weenie Kings push-cart hot dog stand, said he has decided to keep his business in the parking lot at Harding’s grocery store on West Michigan Avenue for the rest of the season. After the Three Rivers Public Library Board earlier this year evicted King from his five-year location at the Three Rivers Public Library parking …

The former National Guard Armory in Three Rivers will be the new site of a Three Rivers-based company. Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners last week agreed to rezone the property from residential to general industry for MVP Improvements. Located at 900 E. Hoffman St., the parcel will allow MVP Improvements to operate in a larger space. Founded by ex-employees from …

Members of the Police Officers Labor Council in Three Rivers agreed to a new contract with the city, following action Tuesday. City manager Joe Bippus said the union agreed to concessions that include a reduced rate of pay for holidays and unused vacation time. Bippus said the three-year agreement includes raises of 2 percent the first year and 1.5 percent …