Homepage Featured General Center

State Rep. Matt Lori last week was named to the House Appropriations Committee, and will again serve as chair of the Department of Community Health subcommittee. Lori, a Constantine-area resident, said he is pleased to again have a hand in making decisions that will have a direct impact on how the money trusted to the legislature by hard-working taxpayers is …

The Emergency Care Network of St. Joseph County has decided to phase out its operations. Board president Margaret Schultz said board members have concluded the food pantries serviced by the ECN have become adequately funded without the agency’s aid. Schultz said the ECN locations in St. Joseph County will remain open. She said pantry site managers are expected to seek …

A lifelong Sturgis resident, described as a pillar of the community, died last week of cancer. Ray Dresser Jr., 81, was a philanthropist and driving force behind the creation of the Sturgis Area Community Foundation in 1962. His contributions to the city included generous endowments to Sturgis Hospital and Glen Oaks Community College. An attorney, Dresser also served as co-chairman …

Members of the Sturgis Neighborhood Program have presented to city officials bids for demolition of two properties. In September, the Sturgis City Commission toured five tax-foreclosed properties, which the city had purchased in August. Based on the tour, two homes were selected for demolition. The property at 206 Jacob St. has two structures and the property at 506 E. Hatch …

A three-member committee in Centreville is reviewing the prospect of buying a new police vehicle. Members of the Centreville Village Council designated Dennis Allen, Keith Shears and Jeff Johnson to look into the details and financial impact of such a purchase. Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite informed municipal leaders of a possible $6,000 grant toward the purchase of a new cruiser, which …

Constantine village manager Mark Honeysett has declined a raise offered by the village council. In lieu of the raise and at Honeysett’s request, funds will instead go toward a budget allocated to the village’s police cars. The village budgets $4,800 for such expenses, but with the increased cost of gas and with Honeysett’s request, the fund will increase to $5,400. …

Constantine village officials have passed a resolution to honor recently retired police Sgt. Robert Studabaker. Studabaker on Dec. 31 ended a career that exceeded 32 years with the Constantine Police Department. Village Manager Mark Honeysett, who was one of four chiefs under whom Studabaker served, said Studabaker maintained a level of competence and professionalism that benefitted the Constantine Police Department. …

White Pigeon Township Library is promoting a guest speaker who will be on hand for a program next week. Perri Saunders, library director, said Jackson Kaguri  will appear at 7 p.m. Jan. 30 to discuss his book, “A School for My Village: A Promise to the Orphans of Nyaka.” Born in Uganda, Kaguri has been involved extensively in international community …

The St. Joseph County Animal Control Advisory Committee is short three people and an appeal is being made to county residents to consider joining the panel. During commissioner comments at last week’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners meeting, Rick Shaffer said citizen interest forms can be found on the county’s website. The committee, which meets once a month, reviews …

The portable ice rink purchased by the city of Sturgis was not ready for use in time for Friday’s Winter Blues event, but municipal officials said freezing temperatures this week should help create an adequate layer of ice. Installed at the corner of North Monroe Street and East Chicago Road, the rink will be open noon to dusk Sundays through …