Government

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 …

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 …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department is once again selling 9-1-1 mailbox address signs. The signs are 6-by-17 1/2 inches and are green with reflective, 3-inch numbers on both sides. Numbers may be placed vertically or horizontally. Cost per sign is $15.50 and proceeds are used by the Explorer Scout Post for uniforms and educational training. Phone orders may be …

The village of Constantine is one of 34 municipalities in Michigan to receive a portion of $15 million to help eliminate blight in the community. Recipients of the Michigan Blight Elimination Program were announced last week. Constantine officials applied for a portion of the grant money to demolish an abandoned structure at 1005 S. Washington St. The allocation for the …

State Rep. Matt Lori was named by House Speaker Jase Bolger to Gov. Rick Snyder’s newly created Mental Health and Wellness Commission. The six-member commission will advise the Michigan Department of Community Health on strengthening the state’s mental-health system. Their advisory role includes considering the best solutions for education, public safety, veterans independence and service delivery. Lori, a Constantine-area resident …

A proposal to market St. Joseph County as an attractive retirement option for residents in Chicago and its suburban communities was explained during a presentation Thursday. Addressing a crowd of about 40 people – comprised primarily of city, village and township leaders from throughout the county – St. Joseph County Commissioner Don Eaton explained details of a potential marketing agreement …

A quarterly report from the Economic Development Corporation board chairman of Southwest Michigan First provided St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners detailed information about the three-month period that concluded at the end of December. Ken Jones, who attended the county’s executive committee meeting last week, said 28 consultations resulted in three company announcements, 202 new jobs created, 801 jobs retained …

Troopers from the Michigan State Police White Pigeon detachment were summoned at 8 a.m. Wednesday to Constantine Township regarding an injury accident. According to a department media release, a semi-tractor trailer driven by a 47-year-old Middlebury man was northbound on U.S. 131 when icy roads caused him to lose control of the rig. The truck traveled across the roadway and …

St. Joseph County Administrator J. Patrick Yoder will start work April 1 with a nine-month contract and $85,000 salary. The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved the employment agreement with Yoder, who will resign at the end of March from his post as village manager of Three Oaks and return to St. Joseph County’s highest, non-elected position. …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department earlier this month was called to a destruction of property incident at a Fabius Township residence. The Feb. 10 investigation took place in the 11300 block of Elizabeth Drive, where peanut butter and Vaseline were spread on the windows, doors and outer fixtures of the residence. In addition, a telephone line to the residence …