Politics

Mayor Tom Lowry and members of the Three Rivers City Commission are expected to field bid recommendations for the downtown Mural Mall project when they assemble at 6 o’clock tonight. The commission’s last meeting of the year also includes matters related to change orders at the city’s clean water plant. Today’s meeting takes place at city hall.

William Welty, who is winding down his 22-year career as a St. Joseph County District Court judge, was the recipient of a Saturday gathering staged in honor of his impending retirement. More than 150 people at the Riviera Theatre in Three Rivers assembled to congratulate the 63-year-old Welty for his years of service to the county and wish him well …

Congressman Fred Upton has announced his service academy nominees for the 2013-2014 academic year. According to a media release, the nominees have excelled both academically and athletically at their respective schools and have gone through an extensive selection process. The selection process included an interview with Upton’s Academy Advisory Board, which is comprised of local community leaders. Upon approval by …

A St. Joseph County department head was suspended for a day without pay over a hunting-related incident last month. John Pence, parks and recreation director, served the one-day suspension Nov. 21 after it was discovered he gave permission for a party of four to hunt at Cade Lake County Park. The hunters were found on the 52-acre, county-owned parcel after …

Governor Rick Snyder Tuesday signed legislation making Michigan the 24th “right-to-work’ state in the nation. Snyder signed the bills less than five hours after the Michigan House gave final approval to the so-called “right to work” legislation, which prohibits requirements that workers pay a fee that would go to a union as a condition of employment. 

Over the chants of thousands of angry protesters, Republican lawmakers made Michigan a right-to-work state Tuesday, dealing a devastating and once-unthinkable defeat to organized labor in a place that has been a bastion of the movement for generations.

Three Rivers City Manager Joe Bippus said he and a group of municipal representatives received a warm welcome from American Axle Manufacturing officials during a goodwill visit last week to the company’s Detroit-based headquarters. Bippus said the scheduled meeting provided an opportunity to thank AAM President David Dauch for the company’s commitment to Three Rivers. The Three Rivers facility is …

State Rep. Matt Lori praised the passage of freedom-to-work legislation that he says will allow Michigan workers to earn a living regardless of union membership. Lori said workers should have the freedom to work any job without being forced to pay for that right to work. He added that unions will have the freedom to make their case to workers, …

Thursday’s recount for a six-year term on the Colon Community Schools Board of Education did not change the results yielded after the Nov. 6 general election. Incumbent Eric Wagner, who finished third in a race for two seats, requested the recount in three precincts in light of his four-vote loss to second-place finisher Deb Bordner. The recount, which took place …

A trust and investment officer with Century Bank and Trust was appointed to the Three Rivers City Commission Tuesday. Jared Hoffmaster, one of three candidates to seek the post vacated with the resignation of Judy Gilchrist, was chosen by Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners at their twice-a-month meeting this week. Danielle Moreland and Larry Matson were also seeking the seat …