Politics

St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough announced last week he will be seeking re-election to another four-year term in November. The 32-year-old McDonough is in the fourth year of his initial four-year term after upsetting incumbent Doug Fisher in 2008. McDonough said representing the citizens of St. Joseph County has been an honor and he indicated he hopes to continue …

A millage renewal to support the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging is expected to appear on a countywide ballot later this year. The amount of the renewal, however, is being debated by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. During Friday’s executive committee meeting, which drew all seven commissioners, discussion stemmed from the three-quarters of a mill expiring this …

The first of what could well be a number of trailway master plan meetings in Sturgis took place last week. About 50 people attended the session, which centered on ideas and potential routes, corridors and connections for non-motorized traffic. Participants noted existing roadways – including Congress and West streets in Sturgis – along with abandoned railroad rights-of-way could be utilized …

Constantine village officials said plans for a new business setting up at the former Rexam plant remain on track. Village Manager Mark Honeysett said the Fort Wayne, Ind.-based Nature’s Fuel has signed a sales agreement on the purchase of the Rexam site. Honeysett, however, said the transaction remains in progress and a closing has not yet taken place. Honeysett said …

The Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority welcomed more than 10 new businesses in 2011 and was awarded a façade grant for two downtown buildings. Christy Trammell, DDA director, recently provided the annual report to the Three Rivers City Commission. Trammell said noteworthy achievements in 2011 included the establishment of a local historic district, a retail incubator program called Project Start …

Mike King, proprietor of the Weenie Kings push-cart hot dog stand, said he has decided to keep his business in the parking lot at Harding’s grocery store on West Michigan Avenue for the rest of the season. After the Three Rivers Public Library Board earlier this year evicted King from his five-year location at the Three Rivers Public Library parking …

The former National Guard Armory in Three Rivers will be the new site of a Three Rivers-based company. Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners last week agreed to rezone the property from residential to general industry for MVP Improvements. Located at 900 E. Hoffman St., the parcel will allow MVP Improvements to operate in a larger space. Founded by ex-employees from …

Voters in White Pigeon Community Schools may now obtain an absentee ballot for the May 8 millage renewal sought by White Pigeon Community Schools. The 780-student district is seeking renewal of a 3-mill sinking fund for five years. If approved, the $5 million generated as a result will allow the district to continue building, infrastructure and technology upgrades. The original …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners has tabled a matter regarding a public hearing on a millage renewal in support of the E-911 Central Dispatch operation. Commissioners during Tuesday’s meeting agreed that further research into the agency’s long-term needs and projected expenses should be evaluated before authorizing a public hearing on the potential millage request. E911 director Jon Uribe was …

Two incumbents on the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners have filed paperwork in order to seek re-election. Commissioners Don Eaton and John Dobberteen are the first to declare for their return to what will be a five-member board in 2013. The seven-seat panel will be reduced as a result of redistricting performed by the St. Joseph County Apportionment Commission. …