Politics

Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners last week agreed to two major purchases. In advance of winter weather, the city commission approved the purchase of 5,000 pounds of road salt. The $24,000 transaction will call for 60 percent of the salt to be delivered ahead of the season and the balance will be shipped later in the winter. Also, …

State Rep. Matt Lori has announced the Sturgis Neighborhood Program will receive a $30,000 grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. The grant, from the Housing Resource Fund, will be used to support general operating expenses of the organization, which serves residents of the city of Sturgis and the surrounding area. Lori said the Sturgis Neighborhood Program serves to …

State Rep. Matt Lori is urging a state Senate panel to consider legislation that will enable hunters to safely use rifles when hunting in southern Michigan. Lori told the Senate Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Committee that allowing rifles using specific cartridges for hunting in the southern part of the state – now limited to shotguns, muzzleloaders and pistols – would …

A township official in St. Joseph County has asked the county’s board of commissioners for financial help to rebuild a portion of a major north-south roadway in Florence Township. During Tuesday’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting, Florence Township Supervisor Gordon Evilsizor said the deteriorating condition of Constantine Road is a concern that needs attention. Evilsizor said the three-mile …

We had the best turn out at our booth this year, that we have had in a long time… perhaps ever! While there are many dis-satisfied people in general with the political landscape of our nation, most visitors were very happy with the direction of the State of Michigan. That was refreshing. They seemed to recognize the change of course …

Sturgis municipal officials said three new programs are being introduced as a result of the Generate Sturgis entrepreneurial forums earlier this year. A committee of 12 members has continued to meet since the Generate Sturgis sessions and has developed the programs BizCon, Business Boost and Buy Sturgis. Biz Con is a business conduit that will focus on events happening in …

State Reps. Matt Lori and Dave Pagel announced Oronoko Township and Cass County have been awarded grants to help offset costs associated with consolidating some services. The money is part of $6 million in funding through the Competitive Grant Assistance Program, awarded to 17 local units of government across Michigan this year. Oronoko Township will receive a $28,800 grant to …

A show-cause hearing for a property in Three Rivers was set last week by Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners. A hearing at 6 p.m. Tuesday next week will center on a property at 815 N. Main St. Concerns about its condition and whether it is fit for habitation will be heard at that time. Afterward, commissioners will consider …

St. Joseph County government will benefit from fiber-optic connectivity, following action taken by the county’s board of commissioners Tuesday. The county’s deal with Ann Arbor-based Merit Network Inc. covers a five-year period and provides service at 20 mega bites per second. The agreement means the county courthouse and courts buildings will connect to Merit’s network and have faster service than …

Officials from the Constantine Area Foundation have announced they are accepting grant proposals from qualifying entities for the foundation’s fall 2013 grant period. Eligible recipients include 501(C)(3) organizations, public schools and governmental entities. The foundation encourages potential recipients to focus on improving working and living conditions in the village; youth and recreation opportunities; public, educational, charitable or charitable purposes; and …