Government

A Three Rivers-based machine shop and its request for a 50-percent industrial facilities tax exemption will be at the center of a Feb. 21 public hearing. The 6 p.m. hearing for R & H Machine Products was set Tuesday by Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry and members of the city commission. If granted, the 12-year request would be applied to …

State Rep. Matt Lori has issued a statement on Gov. Rick Snyder’s budget message. The Constantine-area legislator said he is encouraged that Michigan is headed in the right direction, thanks in part to a series of difficult choices elected officials have made in the past year. Lori said legislators were fiscally responsible when finances were down, and they will continue …

A 61-year-old being sought by the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department since Monday morning has turned himself in to authorities. Daniel Weinberg, whose last known address was in the 300 block of Second Street in Nottawa, was in police custody around 9 p.m. Monday, according to the sheriff’s department. Weinberg was wanted on five counts of criminal sexual conduct, police …

The names of four Sturgis residents arrested on drug-related charges have been released, as the suspects were arraigned in St. Joseph County Circuit Court. Sturgis Police said they executed a search warrant around 4 p.m. Feb. 1 at a residence in the 400 block of Walker Street. Arrested were Douglas Keefer, 58, charged with maintaining a drug house; Jared Payton, …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this week decided to look at combining the offices of community health services and mental health/substance abuse. Commissioners on Tuesday agreed to ask members of the Community Mental Health board and representatives from the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Health Agency to review the proposal. Commissioner Rick Shaffer said the proposal was initially discussed …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department responded Monday morning to a methamphetamine dump site by Big Swan Creek in the 62500 block of Needham Road, in Burr Oak Township. A backpack containing meth waste and a burn site that resembled remains of a campfire were discovered at the site. Officials concluded three one-pot meth labs was produced at the location. …

A pair of employees from the Three Rivers Clean Water Plant were recently recognized for their dedication and longevity for reporting weather observations. Twenty-year veteran James Shears and Joseph Madaras, a 15-year employee, were acknowledged with plaques issued by Brentley Lothamer, representing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In addition, plant director James Baker accepted recognition from Lothamer for Three …

The position of St. Joseph County treasurer was made official Friday during a brief ceremony, when County Clerk Pattie Bender officiated a swearing-in ceremony for Judie Ratering. A 52-year-old Park Township resident, Ratering succeeds Phyllis Bainbridge, who retired last week due to health reasons. Her remaining term, which runs through the end of the year, will be filled by Ratering. …

Four people who allegedly assaulted and stole four pizzas from a delivery driver last week were arraigned in St. Joseph County District Court Thursday. According to Three Rivers Police and St. Joseph County court officials, charged with one count of unarmed robbery are Three Rivers residents David Compean, 19; Tyler J. White, 17; and 18-year-olds Jerrica Homan and Darrin Tullos. …

A Michigan State Police investigator formerly assigned to the agency’s post in White Pigeon was recognized for his work in a high-profile murder case. Aaron Steensma was given MSP’s Meritorious Service Award during a ceremony last week in Lansing. The award was issued for Steensma’s work in the case of Colon-area resident Venus Stewart, whose estranged husband, Doug, was sentenced …