Homepage Featured General Center

The Three Rivers City Commission has approved a new budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year, which begins July 1. During Tuesday’s meeting, Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners endorsed a plan that will see more than $4.2 million in budgeted expenditures. A public hearing took place prior to the commission approving the budget. The city plans to levy 20.2562 mills.

St. Joseph County plans to levy 4.5482 percent of taxable value in excess of $1.8 billion, following a vote taken by the board of commissioners Tuesday. Money generated from the levy, which is applied to county property owners, accounts for almost two-thirds of the tax dollars the county collects annually, according to county administrator Judy West-Wing. She said money generated …

The Three Rivers Area Community Foundation is accepting applications for mini-matching grants, supporting schools, government entities and other 501(c)3 organizations. Final grant awards will be based on community support and local dollars raised to match the amount offered to prospective recipients. Selected grant recipients will be notified by mid-August the award amount the foundation will match and details regarding their …

Talks about the position of county drain commissioner becoming a full-time job have gained momentum in recent weeks. The matter was discussed during last week’s executive committee of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners, who appear to be in favor of upping the post to a 40-hour-a-week job. Current Drain Commissioner Jeff Wenzel has long lobbied for the job …

The St. Joseph County E-911 Central Dispatch in 2011 fielded nearly 84,000 telephone calls for police, fire and emergency medical services. During the department’s annual report last month to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners, director Jon Uribe noted the Centreville-based agency for the first time in its history fielded more calls from people using cellular phones than landline …

Three Rivers Police Chief Tom Bringman said the May 19 “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” fundraiser generated more than $13,000. The event was a benefit for the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services of St. Joseph, Cass and Van Buren counties. Bringman said about 50 people participated in the one-mile walk at Three Rivers High School’s Armstrong Field. Pledges were …

The city of Sturgis on Tuesday started improving West Lafayette Street, between North Centerville Road and Broadus Street, from West Lafayette to Dresser Drive. Milbocker and Sons Inc. of Allegan was awarded the contract and started construction on Broadus Street. West Lafayette will be reconstructed once curb and gutter and base paving is complete on Broadus. The project is expected …

KeyStone Place, a shelter for individuals and families without a permanent residence, is wrapping up its goal to collect $5 from every employee at a number of businesses in the county. The agency is operating on a tight budget and KeyStone officials are hoping the $5-per-employee drive will give it some much-needed financial relief. Its goal is to raise $20,000. …

Organizers of the 2012 Three Rivers Water Festival have announced Alan Turner and the Steel Horse Band will perform the final night of the three-day celebration. The group will take the stage at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, June 16. Turner, a Michigan native, is renowned for his connection with fans and his rich, baritone vocals. The band gained prominence in 2009 …

Recommendation for a liquor license was given last week by Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry and city commissioners. The license request, made by a microbrewery considering a location at 56 N. Main St., will go before the state for its approval. During last week’s city commission meeting, an official from Zapf Brewing Company indicated a time frame of about eight …