Politics

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 …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has approved the appointment of Janell Hart of Three Rivers and Karen Beverly of Burr Oak, to the Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Board of St. Joseph County. The action was taken during Tuesday’s commission meeting and followed an interview with several prospective candidates. The board is now at full strength …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday agreed to approve payment to finance director Joni Smith and human resources director Elishia Arver for their work earlier this year as fill-in county administrators. Both employees were paid $10,000 for providing professional services and responsibilities, as they worked together in the role of county administrator between the mid-January departure of …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has agreed to work with an Ohio-based firm to prepare a study of potential locations for a new senior center. As a result of last week’s vote by commissioners, Lifespan Design Studio will evaluate three potential locations for a new Sturgis senior center. The $11,000 approved for the undertaking will provide commissioners opinions …

The Three Rivers City Commission last week recommended paving-related expenses for two micro-surfacing projects. Nearly $32,000 was approved for work to be performed on South Douglas Avenue, from West Michigan Avenue to Millard Street, and Sixth Avenue from Wood to Jefferson streets. The $14,900 Douglas Avenue job was a budgeted project; funds from the city’s 2014 fiscal year will be …

State Rep. Matt Lori last week announced a grant to eliminate blight in downtown Dowagiac by funding rehabilitation of a historic building into a movie theater and residential units. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation approved the $171,005 Community Development Block Grant enabling a local firm to rehabilitate the building, located at 115 S. Front St. The building is currently in …

An update on the formation of historic district guidelines, applicable to downtown Three Rivers businesses, was provided this week to the Three Rivers City Commission. The report was presented by Rob Vander Giessen-Reitsma, chairman of the city’s Historic District Commission. He provided Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners detailed examples of conformity guidelines to which downtown building owners will be subject …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has re-appointed two members to its Board of Election Canvassers. During Tuesday’s commission meeting, a ballot vote was cast by the four commissioners present; Jack Brooks and Carol Snow-Penn were unanimously chosen to serve four-year terms. Brooks will represent the Democratic party and Snow-Penn the Republican party. The Board of Election Canvassers is …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners have granted requests to fill two court positions. Commissioners OK’d District Court to fill a deputy clerk position to replace Sally Wickum, who plans to retire later this year. The entry-level pay is $13.46 an hour. Meanwhile, Probate Court was given clearance to fill the position of juvenile register. The post …