Politics

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 …

The position of St. Joseph County treasurer was made official Friday during a brief ceremony, when County Clerk Pattie Bender officiated a swearing-in ceremony for Judie Ratering. A 52-year-old Park Township resident, Ratering succeeds Phyllis Bainbridge, who retired last week due to health reasons. Her remaining term, which runs through the end of the year, will be filled by Ratering. …

Two candidates for different offices in St. Joseph County have announced their political plans. Sheriff Brad Balk, 58, filed his nominating petition Monday. Meanwhile, Sturgis attorney Rob Pattison, 46, has announced he will run for the office of St. Joseph County District Court judge. Balk, whose first four-year term as sheriff expires at the end of the year, said he …

A lifelong Park Township resident has accepted an offer to serve as St. Joseph County treasurer. Judie Ratering will serve the rest of 2012 as treasurer following a consensus reached early Thursday by a three-member panel. The 52-year-old Ratering will succeed Phyllis Bainbridge, who is retiring next week due to health issues. Ratering currently serves as a mortgage lender at …

Tax-filing assistance for people who are elderly or in a moderate-to-low income bracket will be available in St. Joseph County. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program will be offered at Community Head Start buildings in Three Rivers and Sturgis. The free service provides tax assistance to families with a household income of $50,000 or less annually. Volunteer tax preparers are …

A former village council member has been appointed to serve on the Constantine Sewer Ad Hoc Committee. Scott Chiddister, a past chairman of the committee, was put on the panel following a vote by members of the Constantine Village Council last week. Chiddister’s addition to the committee, and his expertise as an engineer and former municipal official, could come in …

Three Rivers municipal officials said a home-improvement chain has expressed interest in revisiting its plans to open a store in Three Rivers. Wisconsin-based Menards is contemplating moving forward to build on land it owns on the south side of Broadway Road, just west of Big Lots. The company owns a 59-acre parcel and has had tentative plans for years to …

State Rep. Matt Lori announced this week that legislation he introduced, regarding a change to the legal blood-alcohol content for which boaters are considered legally drunk, has passed a vote by the State House Judiciary Committee. The two bills set the legal blood-alcohol content for watercraft operators from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent. They also modify sentencing guidelines to make …

  State Rep. Matt Lori issued a statement following Wednesday’s State of the State speech by Gov. Rock Snyder. Lori, whose jurisdiction includes St. Joseph County, said he was encouraged to hear Snyder put an emphasis on improving public safety in Michigan. As a former sheriff, Lori said he understands the importance of reducing crime in Michigan’s largest cities to …