York leaves position

Three Rivers City Commissioner David York plans to leave his elected position at the end of June.

York announced during Tuesday’s city commission meeting his purchase of a residence outside the city limits where he plans to live, forcing him to give up the seat he gained in November 2011. His two-year term expires at the end of the year.

Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners commended York for his commitment to the city.

An at-large commissioner, York will be replaced by either Larry Matson, Linda Gearhart or Matt Mosher. The three will be on the August primary ballot.

Farmer’s Market opening

The Three Rivers farmer’s market will offer lower rates, take place at a new time and on a different day, and an effort has gone into marketing, advertising and promoting the market.

Organizers of the weekly market made the announcement in a media release, which stated the changes have resulted in all 10 market spaces have being filled for the season.

Set to begin Tuesday next week, the Three Rivers market will include home-grown fruits and vegetables, eggs and baked items. In addition, artisan items such as handmade soaps, watercolor paintings and calligraphy are now part of the market.

The market will run 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Scidmore Park pavilions, off East Michigan Avenue. The market will conclude in October.

Five arrested for meth

Five people were arrested and a 1-year-old child turned over to protection services following an investigation into a methamphetamine operation Tuesday.

Investigators with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said a search warrant was executed in the 58000 block of U.S. 131 in Fabius Township. Meanwhile the second warrant was executed in the 18000 block of South River Road in Lockport Township as a result of the first case.

The warrants stemmed from a methamphetamine dumpsite in the city of Three Rivers.

On South River Road, investigators found an inactive methamphetamine lab in the residence as well as evidence of prior manufacturing . Child Protective Services were called to the S. River Rd. location for a minor child. The five suspects were charged with operating and maintaining a methamphetamine lab, possession of meth, and maintaining a drug house.

Ceremonial groundbreaking

A gathering of school officials and residents Wednesday in the White Pigeon Community Schools applauded the ceremonial groundbreaking of improvement slated to take place at the district’s two schools.

The event kicks off what will be a variety of building and design improvements at the district’s two school buildings over the next five years. The balance of the work this year will take place over the summer and focus on electrical, plumbing, bathroom, parking lot, and student pick-up/drop-off locations at Central Elementary.

District voters last year approved the renewal of a five-year, sinking-fund millage request to continue district-wide improvements.

Temporary jobs approved

A number of temporary and seasonal jobs were approved Tuesday by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners.

Hired to work the sheriff’s department marine patrol for the season were: William Smith as sergeant for $17.30 an hour, and David McGee, Jaymes MacDonald, Roger Schrock and Robert Littke at a rate of $15.30 an hour.

Jonathan Mejeur was hired as a seasonal park maintenance employee at $8 and hour, and Betty Ann Pranga as seasonal office help at Cade Lake Campground at a rate of $7.75 an hour.

In addition, Paul Deuel was hired as a part-time building security guard at $13.46 an hour.

Work to start on school

White Pigeon Community Schools officials are scheduled to stage a ceremonial groundbreaking at 5:30 this afternoon outside Central Elementary.

Superintendent Ron Drzewski  said the event marks the informal start of work following voter-approved renewal of a five-year, sinking-fund millage dedicated to school building improvements. The millage renewal request was approved a year ago and money to cover the improvements is now in hand.

School upgrades are slated to begin June 10 and conclude in late August, with all the work this first year centering on Central Elementary. Improvements include electrical, plumbing, bathroom, parking lot, and student pick-up/drop-off locations.

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