Politics

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a request for out-of-state travel for a team of four members from the county sheriff’s department. In a memo from Captain Tim Schuler, it was explained that training provided through the National Sheriff’s Association will take place June 18-20 in Nashville, Tenn. Schuler said seminars will focus on matters including …

A Sturgis City Commission member and candidate for county treasurer has withdrawn from the race. Rob Sisson, who was expected to challenge current treasurer Judie Ratering for the four-year term in November, notified Clerk Pattie Bender of his decision earlier this week. Sisson’s move means Ratering, who was appointed earlier this year to fill the unexpired term of Phyllis Bainbridge, …

State Sen. Bruce Caswell will stage an early morning coffee hour with constituents from the 16th District this weekend. From 7 to 8 a.m. Saturday, Caswell will be at Dawn and Phil’s Café in Colon. Caswell has issued a standing invitation to anyone interested in meeting with him to discuss concerns and ideas. The restaurant is located at the northeast …

Constantine police chief Jim Bedell has been appointed acting village manager while full-time village manager Mark Honeysett recovers from a heart attack. Members of the village council last week agreed to the temporary measure, which means Bedell will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the village, as well as the law-enforcement side of the community. It was suggested a …

A longtime Centreville-area resident has committed to running for a seat to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Florence Township resident Barry Miller has filed paperwork to challenge Rick Shaffer in November for what will be the new-look Third District. Effective in 2013, the district will cover Lockport, Nottawa, Sherman and Florence townships. The 39-year-old Miller, who runs a …

A pair of St. Joseph County commissioners has asked Sturgis municipal officials to weigh in on the concept of a Commission on Aging facility in Sturgis. Commissioners John Dobberteen and Don Eaton approached city leaders this week and asked for input into the proposed concept. The COA has a fund balance of about $1.4 million and the county commissioners have …

The village of Centreville is looking for a new president to lead its village council. Barb Parker, a council member for 15 years – including the last seven as president – announced her resignation Monday. Parker said she was not planning to seek re-election later this year, but decided to resign for family and other reasons. Parker said she would …

Sturgis municipal officials have decided to pay off a $648,000 loan five years earlier than scheduled in order to save money on interest charges. City Manager Mike Hughes said the early payoff means the city will save $31,700 in interest from its loan with Century Bank and Trust. The original agreement called for equal payments over a 15-year period, starting …

St. Joseph County Commissioner Allen Balog has announced he will seek re-election in November to a second, two-year term. The former mayor of Three Rivers, Balog said he filed paperwork Tuesday with the county clerk’s office, making official his intentions. Balog joined the commission in January 2011. With redistricting of the county commission’s boundaries to go into effect in 2013, …

St. Joseph County voters could be asked in August to decide whether to renew a millage to support the county’s E-911 Central Dispatch. Meanwhile, a public hearing has been set for feedback on a proposed millage renewal for the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging. The two matters were addressed Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Regarding …