Politics

State Rep. Matt Lori was recently honored with a Health Advocacy Award from the Cassopolis Family Clinic Network. Lori was recognized for his support of the clinic’s mission to provide necessary, compassionate health care to the people of Cass County. Cassopolis Family Clinic Network has identified 11,700 low-income residents in Cass County and the immediate service area who are not …

A candidate forum featuring contestants for two judicial positions in St. Joseph County is scheduled to take place this evening. Glen Oaks Community College will host the forum at 6 p.m. at the college’s Dresser Center. Judicial candidates for Probate and Circuit courts will be the focus of the event. In addition, candidates for Glen Oaks Community College’s Board of …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has set a time and date for a work session next week. Commissioners will meet at 4 p.m. Thursday at the county courthouse to discuss two matters. Chairman Rick Shaffer said time will be taken to discuss the impending vacancy of the county administrator’s position. Current administrator Judy West-Wing plans to retire in …

Members of the Three Rivers City Commission later this year are expected to award a contract for the job of redesigning the downtown mural mall. Steven Bishop, representing Grand Rapids-based Fleis and VanDenBrink Engineering presented drawings of the proposed project to Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting. Funding for the nearly $1 million project came from a $750,000 …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday recognized 30 people observing milestone anniversaries as county employees. Soon-to-be-retired county administrator Judy West-Wing led the way with 30 years of service. Honored for their silver anniversary as county employees were Larry Diekman, Terry Hammond, Bernice Metzger, Tab Wedge, Pat Kulikowski, Tom Miller and Dan Kennedy. Also singled out Tuesday were …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioner have approved a pair of three-year contracts affecting 13 employees. Nine employees with the District Court Association and four staff members under the Fraternal Order of Police Corrections Sergeant Unit received new contracts by commissioners last week. Employees in both unions will see wage increases of 2 percent in 2013 and …

St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough was given approval this week to hire a new assistant prosecuting attorney. Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners agreed to modify the 2012 budget to accommodate the hiring of Natasha Pattanshetti. She will work part time for two months, then step in on a full-time basis after current assistant T.J. Reed …

The American Conservative Union recently presented state Rep. Matt Lori with the Michigan ACU Conservative Award for his votes on a wide range of conservative principles, including fiscal responsibility and protecting the rights of the unborn. Lori, a Constantine-area resident, said he is honored to be recognized for making common-sense votes based on what the taxpayers in the communities he …

The Three Rivers City Commission will be losing a member of its seven-person panel next month. Commissioner Judy Gilchrist announced during Tuesday’s meeting that she is moving out of state and, consequently, will vacate her First District seat Nov. 5. Gilchrist, 70, said she is getting married and she and her husband-to-be will be living in Oregon. She was unopposed …

State Rep. Matt Lori this week was awarded the “Champion of Hope” award by the Michigan Association of Substance Abuse Coordinating Agencies. The award recognizes Lori’s extraordinary leadership in bringing substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery issues to the attention of legislatures. Lori, a Constantine-area resident, said he is committed to working as a member of the House to not …