Politics

Members of the Police Officers Labor Council in Three Rivers agreed to a new contract with the city, following action Tuesday. City manager Joe Bippus said the union agreed to concessions that include a reduced rate of pay for holidays and unused vacation time. Bippus said the three-year agreement includes raises of 2 percent the first year and 1.5 percent …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved an out-of-state travel request for two employees. According to a memo from Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite, deputies Tim Barnes and Brandon Dahl will attend a Drug Enforcement Agency “Clan Lab” state and local certification school April 16-20 at the FBI training center in Virginia. The invitation-only class was offered to the …

Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry and city commission members have OK’d a plan to offer early retirement to municipal employees who qualify for the option. During Tuesday’s meeting, finance director Cathy Lawson noted that as many as six of the city’s 57 full-time employees would qualify for the early-retirement incentive. If accepted, a recipient would receive a one-time payout of …

  Members of the Three Rivers City Commission earlier this week rejected a plan to act as the municipality’s zoning board of appeals in matters related to so-called Big Box retail developments. Following an informal consensus Tuesday, Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners decided to field such matters. The issue was raised in light of concerns that the city’s ZBA has …

Mayor Tom Lowry and members of the Three Rivers City Commission agreed Tuesday to gather more input from municipal staff and its legal advisor before taking action relevant to an ongoing issue with the Three Rivers Public Library Board. At the conclusion of Tuesday’s commission meeting, Commissioner Daryl Griffith said he remains open to the idea of removing library board …

  Any Three Rivers resident interested in serving on the city commission has through April 13 to submit a citizen-interest form. Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners on Tuesday accepted the resignation of Ken Baker, who stated in his letter of resignation that his ongoing battle against cancer prevents him from remaining on the commission. Forms are available at city hall …

The city of Sturgis has announced its first of three brush pickups is set to begin today. As they have in the past, city workers will start collections at the north end of town and work their way south. During brush collection, no grass clippings, roots, thorn-bearing branches, tree trunks, stumps, or construction materials will be picked up. Limbs, branches …

Three Rivers City Commission member Ken Baker has announced he will be resigning from the position next week. Baker, 70, cited his health as the reason for his impending resignation, which will become official Monday. Baker said he discussed the situation with his family and his doctor, and concluded it would be in his and the city’s best interest that …

Flags in Sturgis are flying at half-staff today to honor a former mayor, Don Easterday. Easterday, 84, passed away Thursday. He served as mayor from 1988 through 1992. City offices will close at 3:30 p.m. today so employees may attend Easterday’s funeral.

A crowd of about 150 people attended Saturday’s annual St. Joseph County Lincoln Day banquet at the Sturges-Young Auditorium, in Sturgis. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers delivered the keynote speech, which focused on the shortcomings of President Obama and underscored the need to vote for Republican candidates in the November general election. Congressman Fred Upton also gave a brief speech during …