Politics

St. Joseph County will see an increase in the amount of time  is devoted by equalization director Tony Meyaard. County commissioners last week approved an agreement where Meyaard’s services will be split evenly between St. Joseph and Cass counties. Meyaard for the past year had worked three days a week in Cassopolis and twice weekly in Centreville. Meyaard will remain …

Three Rivers Community Schools has lost its director of operations, as Steve Lucas took a job with the Cass County Road Commission. Lucas will become managing director of the Cass County Road Commission. He is stepping into a job previously held by Christopher Bolt, who was splitting the task with St. Joseph County. A 20-year school district employee, Lucas’ last …

Motor-vehicle offenses, including the number of drunken drivers, decreased in St. Joseph County last year compared to 2012. District Court Judge Jeff Middleton provided details during his annual report Tuesday before the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. His news, however, came with a caveat, as Middleton said he suspects the decrease was the result of fewer law-enforcement officials on …

State Rep. Matt Lori on Thursday commended House approval of a legislative package to fund repairs to Michigan’s transportation system. He called the action a good first step toward a sustainable solution. Lori voted in favor of the bills that will dedicate $450 million to help fix the state’s transportation system. The increased funding would go into effect in 2015. …

In addition to providing an annual report as register of deeds, county clerk Pattie Bender presented county commissioners a summary of her department’s operations in 2013. Bender, who will mark her 44-year anniversary as a courthouse employee later this month, said her department’s revenue report showed collections in circuit and juvenile courts were down in 2013 compared to 2012. She …

The August primary ballot in St. Joseph County will be a bit more crowded following action Tuesday by the county’s board of commissioners. The St. Joseph County Road Commission will present to voters a two-part request. The first asks for renewal of 1 mill for a 10-year period. The current mill has been in place a decade and expires at …

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder visited Armstrong International Monday, addressing area business leaders and key Armstrong personnel. Snyder focused on the state of the economy in Michigan during his one-hour visit and speech. Snyder cited the importance of education, deteriorating roads, health care and creating more jobs as areas of consideration moving forward in his role as governor. He also commended …

Last week’s filing deadline for the August primary election shows uncontested races at the county level, but two of the county’s five commissioners will face a challenge in November. First District Commissioner Al Balog is running as a Republican and will be opposed by Democrat Del Martin. Meanwhile, incumbent Rick Shaffer will represent the Republican party and will be contested …

The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a bill authored by state Rep. Matt Lori to expand the number of medical schools in Michigan that may receive cadavers that have been donated to science. Currently only Michigan State University, Wayne State University and the University of Michigan can legally receive bodies donated for scientific purposes, Lori said. Under House Bill …

Two incumbents will likely be returning to the Three Rivers City Commission later this year, while a third will be involved in a contested race. City clerk Melissa Bliss said an August runoff vote will not be necessary, meaning Second District Commissioner Alison Haigh and Fourth District representative Carolyn McNary will run unopposed in November’s general election. Incumbent Daryl Griffith, …