Politics

A group of Centreville residents is voicing opposition to a sidewalk plan in their neighborhood. Nearly two dozen residents attended this week’s Centreville Village Council meeting to voice concern over sidewalks to be built through a Safe Routes To School grant. The $416,000 to help cover the sidewalk-development cost was awarded last September. Comments ranged from the need for the …

The House Tourism Committee last week approved a bill allowing limited use of rifles for deer hunting in an area now limited to shotguns, muzzleloaders and pistols. Introduced by State Rep. Matt Lori, the bill would allow the use of a straight-walled pistol cartridge in rifles that can accommodate such ammunition. The pistol cartridges do not travel as far as …

State Rep. Matt Lori played a role in a package of bills approved this week by the House Criminal Justice Committee. Three of the bills lower the blood-alcohol content level from the current 0.10 to 0.08 percent for operators of boats, off-road vehicles and snowmobiles. Lori’s portion of the bills is specific to watercraft. Meanwhile, Lori’s Crime Stoppers bill establishes …

Officials from school districts in Three Rivers and White Pigeon saw non-homestead millage renewals pass with ease Tuesday. In Three Rivers, nearly two-thirds of the 612 participating voters OK’d an 18-mill renewal levied to the tax bills of commercial and non-homestead properties. The millage generates nearly $3.7 million annually and represents about 15 percent of the district’s annual budget. White …

Smoother roads will be appearing in Sturgis over the next decade, as voters Tuesday supported a 3-mill increase dedicated to street improvements and sidewalk repairs. The 10-year millage is expected to generate about $6.7 million in all, thanks to voter support of the proposal, which passed by a 3-to-2 margin. Mayor Ken Malone said the 3 mills will appear on …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners were asked Tuesday to consider providing financial support to help establish a new animal shelter. Proposed as a jointly run operation between the county and the newly formed River Country Humane Society, the potential facility is being eyed at the 12-acre location previously occupied by Finnerman’s Farm and Garden Equipment site …

A state administrative judge has sided with about half of 30 people with disabilities who said their services were illegally cut by the Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County. The clients, who were represented by Farmington Hills-based attorney Patricia Dudek, said 25 percent, across-the-board cuts by the Centreville-based agency in January were unfairly and illegally …

The Centreville Village Council is short a member after council president Eric Weis resigned Monday. Weis was vague about his reasons for stepping down, noting only that family considerations, time commitment to the job and public criticism of the council’s actions were factors contributing to his departure. With Weis’ resignation, Jeff Johnson will serve the role of president, as he …

An election of officers resulted in no change on the Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services of St. Joseph County board. During the board’s monthly meeting Tuesday, it was agreed that Barb Parker will remain chairperson, Robin Baker as vice-chair, Ronnie Atkins as secretary and Gaylene Adams serving in the capacity of citizen-at-large. In a separate matter, the board …

State Rep. Matt Lori voted in favor of a budget plan supported by both Republicans and an Independent lawmaker that cuts government waste and prioritizes funding for public safety, roads and schools. Lori, R-Constantine, joined a majority of his colleagues in voting Wednesday in favor of House Bills 4228 and 4328, the Fiscal Year 2014 House budget recommendation. Lori, who …