Government

Members of the Michigan House approved legislation allowing veterans to receive a special designation on their driver’s license or state ID cards, state Rep. Matt Lori announced Thursday. With more than 650,000 veterans living in Michigan, Lori anticipates the legislation will keep veterans from having to secure paperwork to prove their military service. Lori, a Constantine-area resident, said veterans deserve …

A clerk at the Mottville Stop-N-Go gas station was robbed at gunpoint Monday night. According to the Michigan State Police, around 11:15 p.m., the clerk had closed the store for the night and was confronted by a man as he was walking to his car. The suspect ordered the man back inside the store and demanded the day’s cash deposit. …

An injury accident was reported to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department at 3:30 P.M. Tuesday in Leonidas Township. The one-car accident occurred on Blossom Road, east of Case Road. Investigators said a 16-year-old female was driving west on Blossom Road and lost control as a result of snowy road conditions. The vehicle went off the roadway, striking several trees …

Despite the lack of a quorum at Tuesday’s monthly Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County meeting, a group of about a dozen adults with developmental disabilities showed up to question a reduction in the hours of service they receive from the agency. It marks the second consecutive month CMH clients have attended the monthly board …

Three Rivers Police are investigating a case involving a missing juvenile. A department media release stated 14-year-old Alejandra Rubi was last seen leaving Three Rivers High School at 9 a.m. Thursday. She left her books and personal belongings in her locker, according to police. Rubi phoned her mother Friday, police said. She did not disclose her location, though she said …

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 …