Politics

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 …

A well-received component to the annual Three Rivers Water Festival will return in 2012 following a six-year absence. Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners this week approved “Bratfest,” which is to be in operation during the Friday and Saturday of the Water Festival. Rick Daniels, chairman of the Bratfest, told the commission during Tuesday’s meeting that he headed up the attraction …

Members of the Colon Village Council last week agreed to an increase in sewer and water rates. The 3.5 percent hike for the utility services was to go into effect this week. Village officials said the modification was necessary to offset an increase in its costs following a long-negotiated agreement with Colon Township and the Colon Fire and Rescue squad. …

The number of births in St. Joseph County in 2011 exceeded the number of deaths, according to data provided by County Clerk Pattie Bender. Bender, the county’s most tenured employee with more than 41 years of employment, presented her annual report Tuesday to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Bender said 717 people were born in the county in …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has put off at least until April setting the date for a public hearing on a millage renewal request in support of the county’s E-911 Central Dispatch. Commissioners on Tuesday agreed to ask E-911 Central Dispatch Director Jonathan Uribe to provide them a long-term financial picture, including the department’s potential major purchases and …

St. Joseph County Treasurer Judie Ratering announced Monday that she has filed her paperwork to run for election to the post for its four-year term starting in January. Ratering, a 52-year-old Park Township resident, was appointed to the position earlier this year, as she has stepped in for Phyllis Bainbridge. Bainbridge retired for health reasons, though her term doesn’t expire …

The field of candidates expected to run for St. Joseph County Probate Court judge grew more crowded Thursday. Colon attorney David Tomlinson said he plans to seek the position currently occupied by Tom Shumaker, who plans to retire at the end of the year after serving for 24 years as judge. To date, the other potential candidates for the position …

St. Joseph County treasurer Judie Ratering announced Thursday she plans to seek the treasurer’s position for its full, four-year term in the November election. Ratering earlier this year was appointed to the post after Phyllis Bainbridge retired Jan. 31. The unexpired term left by Bainbridge concludes Dec. 31. Ratering, a 52-year-old Park Township resident, said she plans to file her …

Less than a week after St. Joseph County Probate Court Judge Tom Shumaker announced his retirement, a third prospective successor has announced his candidacy for the post. Three Rivers attorney John Barnes, of Barnes Law Office, has announced his candidacy for the position. Barnes, who has been practicing law for 30 years, said his qualifications include thousands of probate, estate planning, …