Politics

St. Joseph County Administrator Judy West-Wing was honored Tuesday by current and past members of the county’s Board of Commissioners. The session was West-Wing’s last, as she is retiring next week and ending a 30-year tenure as a St. Joseph County employee. Current commissioners were joined by former members Eric Shafer, John Bippus, Larry Walton and others as West-Wing was …

The Three Rivers City Commission has chosen Melissa Bliss to serve as city clerk. Tuesday’s action was taken after predecessor Lindsay Howes announced her resignation from the post to take the job as St. Joseph County grant writer. Bliss, a 35 year-old Three Rivers resident, previously worked in an administrative position for the city of Portage before she joined the …

If you thought Congress and the White House had all that “fiscal cliff” stuff solved last week, there’s bad news. It’s coming up again in February, but southwest Michigan Congressman Fred Upton says he doesn’t think it will be the mess it was last month. The St. Joseph Republican says he would not be surprised to see a race between …

Residents in St. Joseph and Branch counties are asked to check their mailboxes for a survey to be sent soon by the Prairie River Watershed Planning Project. Project director Rachel Smith said as part of the Prairie River Watershed Planning Project, replies from residents in the watershed area are critical, as they are considered the people who know the watershed …

State Rep. Matt Lori on Wednesday took the ceremonial oath of office as a state representative in the Michigan House. Lori’s third and final term, due to term limits, was made official with Lt. Gov. Brian Calley administering the ceremonial oath in the state Capitol in Lansing. Lori, whose term expires at the end of 2014, was joined during the …

The Centreville Downtown Development Authority recently completed a transaction that includes the purchase of the former Village Market. DDA officials announced details of the purchase Tuesday, saying the $75,000 deal includes the 20,600-square-foot grocery building and attached plaza that features four storefronts. DDA Chair Pattie Bender said the association’s interest in the property was – in part – because of …

The city of Sturgis has been recognized for the third consecutive year for its work to foster entrepreneurial growth and economic development. The annual honor was given following the 2012 annual eCities research project survey conducted by iLabs through the University of Michigan-Dearborn Center for Innovation Research. Sturgis was honored as a Five-Star Community, joining 27 other Five-Star and 26 …

A partner in a Three Rivers legal firm has joined St. Joseph County’s contract defender system. Following action by county commissioners Wednesday, Laurie Hines will join the court rotation as a public defender. She replaces David Tomlinson, whose services are no longer available through the system due to his election as Probate Court judge. Hines is a partner with the …

In a housekeeping matter Wednesday, the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners agreed to keep its twice-a-month meetings at 5 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Also, executive committee meetings – during which matters on the county commission meeting agenda are discussed in detail – will remain at 8 a.m. the Friday before a county commission meeting. …

Sturgis resident and former mayor John Dobberteen was selected Wednesday to succeed Rick Shaffer as chairman of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. By unanimous vote, the 53-year-old Dobberteen was chosen to preside over the five-member board for 2013. As chairman, Dobberteen’s primary duty will require him to facilitate the board’s twice-a-month meetings. Dobberteen, a plumbing inspector, joined the …