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Two incumbents on the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners have filed paperwork in order to seek re-election. Commissioners Don Eaton and John Dobberteen are the first to declare for their return to what will be a five-member board in 2013. The seven-seat panel will be reduced as a result of redistricting performed by the St. Joseph County Apportionment Commission. …

Members of the Police Officers Labor Council in Three Rivers agreed to a new contract with the city, following action Tuesday. City manager Joe Bippus said the union agreed to concessions that include a reduced rate of pay for holidays and unused vacation time. Bippus said the three-year agreement includes raises of 2 percent the first year and 1.5 percent …

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved an out-of-state travel request for two employees. According to a memo from Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite, deputies Tim Barnes and Brandon Dahl will attend a Drug Enforcement Agency “Clan Lab” state and local certification school April 16-20 at the FBI training center in Virginia. The invitation-only class was offered to the …

The surge in gasoline prices has stalled around $3.92 per gallon, but experts caution that more increases are coming.  Many refineries still haven’t undergone a seasonal maintenance period that will force them to produce less gas. That will tighten supplies in some parts of the country, especially in the Great Lakes region, and push prices higher.

Jim still needs a new home. My name is Tex. I am having kind of a bad year, you see, may human passed away and I am here and I am feeling kind of lost. I am a very good boy. I am a four year old male black Lab mix. I am kind of medium/small so I will fit …

The Three Rivers Clean Water Plant experienced a discharge of biosolids from the treated storage tank early Wednesday. The discharge volume, which was estimated at 600 gallons, entered the St. Joseph River through the Lincoln Street storm drains. Crews responded immediately to stop the discharge and to clean the street. Plant officials said water samples will be taken from the …

Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry and city commission members have OK’d a plan to offer early retirement to municipal employees who qualify for the option. During Tuesday’s meeting, finance director Cathy Lawson noted that as many as six of the city’s 57 full-time employees would qualify for the early-retirement incentive. If accepted, a recipient would receive a one-time payout of …

  Members of the Three Rivers City Commission earlier this week rejected a plan to act as the municipality’s zoning board of appeals in matters related to so-called Big Box retail developments. Following an informal consensus Tuesday, Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners decided to field such matters. The issue was raised in light of concerns that the city’s ZBA has …

Sturgis police joined members of the Southwest Enforcement Team in uncovering hazardous waste from several methamphetamine laboratories Tuesday night at a residence in Sturgis. Sturgis police said a search warrant was executed for a 207 S. Maple St., a residence raided for drug-related activity in 2008, police said. The residence was vacant when it was entered Tuesday. A specially trained …

St. Joseph County’s Solid Waste Committee is offering its annual household hazardous waste collection and recycling of electronics, tires and paper later this month. The event will take place 8 a.m. to noon April 21 at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds and is free to St. Joseph County residents. Materials accepted include pool and garden chemicals, cleaners, old gas, batteries, …