Politics

The Michigan Court of Appeals in Grand Rapids concluded that the estate of Calista Springer cannot sue the state over the 16-year-old’s death four years ago. The opinion was rendered in response to Springer’s grandmother – Three Rivers resident Suzanne Langdon – who sued the State Department of Human Services and St. Joseph County’s Child Protective Services in 2010. Each …

Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners on Tuesday approved a special-exception-use permit for Menards. As a result, the Wisconsin-based home-improvement center is clear to break ground on its 215,000-square-foot store on the south side of Broadway Road, just west of U.S. 131. City officials said Menards representatives indicated they would like to break ground as soon as possible in …

State Rep. Matt Lori said he has filed paperwork to make official his candidacy for re-election this fall. Lori, 55, is starting the final year of his second two-year term. By law, he can serve in the position for a total of three, two-year terms. The Constantine-area resident and former sheriff of St. Joseph County said he has enjoyed serving …

Rick Santorum was the top vote-getter in St. Joseph County Tuesday. The presidential primary election in Michigan, however, was claimed by Mitt Romney, who came in second place in St. Joseph County. Unofficial results from County Clerk Pattie Bender’s office show Santorum earned more than 2,500 votes while Romney had more than 1,700. Barrack Obama, the only candidate listed on …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners had occasion last week to meet and welcome Judie Ratering, the county’s new finance director. During the commission’s twice-a-month meeting last week, Ratering introduced herself and said despite being on the job just two days at the time, she expressed confidence in her ability to uphold the duties of her office.

A husband-and-wife team has been approved to occupy a historic house on the grounds of a popular county park. The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners last week reached an agreement with Dave Ludders and Caitlin Haring to live in the Dolly Reed House at Rawson’s King Mill Park. In lieu of paying rent, the couple will be responsible for …

Members of the Three Rivers City Commission last week discussed a few of their goals for 2012. The casual conversation revealed that more directional signs need to be placed around the city. Commissioner Daryl Griffith said so-called wayfinding signs to instruct motorists to key places in the city and fringe areas on its borders should be considered. In addition, Mayor …

A Three Rivers-based machine shop and its request for a 50-percent industrial facilities tax exemption will be at the center of a Feb. 21 public hearing. The 6 p.m. hearing for R & H Machine Products was set Tuesday by Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry and members of the city commission. If granted, the 12-year request would be applied to …

State Rep. Matt Lori has issued a statement on Gov. Rick Snyder’s budget message. The Constantine-area legislator said he is encouraged that Michigan is headed in the right direction, thanks in part to a series of difficult choices elected officials have made in the past year. Lori said legislators were fiscally responsible when finances were down, and they will continue …

Members of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners this week decided to look at combining the offices of community health services and mental health/substance abuse. Commissioners on Tuesday agreed to ask members of the Community Mental Health board and representatives from the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Health Agency to review the proposal. Commissioner Rick Shaffer said the proposal was initially discussed …