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State Rep. Matt Lori issued a statement following Gov. Rick Snyder’s State of the State address Wednesday. Lori, 56, said he looks forward to working with Snyder to continue economic momentum and fostering a healthy economy in which more jobs can be created. The Constantine-area resident, who is beginning his third, two-year term, said legislators have achieved much in putting …

St. Joseph County’s Board of Commissioners has agreed to hire Lindsay Howes as the county’s grant writer. Howes, who has most recently served as Three Rivers city clerk since 2007, was approved to the position Tuesday by the five-member commission. A 32-year-old Three Rivers resident, Howes will be paid $50,000 a year, with $30,000 of the salary paid by the …

The St. Joseph County United Way recently awarded a grant to St. Joseph County Child Protective Services for children removed from their homes due to the manufacturing of meth inside their homes. Eighty, $25 gift cards to local retailers were provided to CPS to give foster-care families the funds they need to purchase pajamas, socks, underwear and basic necessities for …

The Three Rivers City Commission has chosen Melissa Bliss to serve as city clerk. Tuesday’s action was taken after predecessor Lindsay Howes announced her resignation from the post to take the job as St. Joseph County grant writer. Bliss, a 35 year-old Three Rivers resident, previously worked in an administrative position for the city of Portage before she joined the …

The two largest school districts in St. Joseph County conducted their re-organizational meetings this week. In Sturgis, Geoff Smith was named president of its board of education. Tom Robertson was assigned vice president and Ann Bird secretary. Ray Sterling will serve as treasurer. In Three Rivers, board members returned Susan Schmidtendorff as president, Mike Bosma as vice president and Waneta …

Eight jobs are being cut at Three Rivers Health as the result of restructuring, according to hospital CEO William Russell. With the current economic environment in the health-care industry, Russell noted the management reduction is necessary to ensure a sustainable path for the future of Three Rivers Health. Russell expressed his gratitude to all management leaders for their service. He …

State Rep. Matt Lori on Wednesday took the ceremonial oath of office as a state representative in the Michigan House. Lori’s third and final term, due to term limits, was made official with Lt. Gov. Brian Calley administering the ceremonial oath in the state Capitol in Lansing. Lori, whose term expires at the end of 2014, was joined during the …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department and the Centreville Fire Department are hosting a Community Emergency Response Team class. The three-part program starts Jan. 19 and continues Feb. 2 and 16 at the sheriff’s department. It will run 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and lunch will be provided. The Community Emergency Response Team program educates people about disaster preparedness for …

The city of Sturgis has been recognized for the third consecutive year for its work to foster entrepreneurial growth and economic development. The annual honor was given following the 2012 annual eCities research project survey conducted by iLabs through the University of Michigan-Dearborn Center for Innovation Research. Sturgis was honored as a Five-Star Community, joining 27 other Five-Star and 26 …

The St. Joseph County United Way is hoping a late push in sales of its $1 raffle tickets will help the Centreville-based agency meet its 2013 season fundraising goal. Between now and Jan. 31, the United Way is offering a $1,000 Meijer gift card with the purchase of a ticket. The drawing will take place during the agency’s Feb. 7 …