City Commission

Bippus scores high

Three Rivers City Manager Joe Bippus was the recipient of a highly complimentary evaluation by Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners last week. During his annual performance review, Bippus earned the equivalent of a 92 percent. The score is the highest he has ever received as city manager in Three Rivers. The evaluation was judged on 10 different categories and tabulated …

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Smelly debris cleared

Members of the Sturgis Public Works Department spent three hours clearing animal debris from two U.S. 12 intersections last week. City officials said some of the contents of a semi truck were spilled around 7 a.m. Thursday at Centerville Road and further east at Clay Street. The animal parts were loaded two days earlier and sat all day in 100-degree …

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Burning Ban expanding

White Pigeon Township is joining a number of other St. Joseph County entities by putting into place a ban on burning. Fire Chief Troy Andrews said White Pigeon Township will not be issuing burn permits until measurable rainfall is recorded. Fire officials in Three Rivers this week have declared an outdoor burning ban, including but not limited to campfires, bonfires …

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Burning Ban in county

Constantine Fire Chief Mike Hayden has issued a media release centering on burn permits and the dry conditions. He said the department has temporarily suspended issuing burn permits to residents in Constantine and Florence townships until an adequate amount of rainfall is recorded. Hayden suggested residents in other townships check with their fire officials to verify whether they, too, have …

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Foam-over at Water Plant

James Baker, manager of the Three Rives Clean Water Plant, said employees discovered a foam-over from one of the treated biosolids tanks early Saturday. Baker said crews reacted immediately and deployed drain blockers to prevent discharge into storm sewers. An estimated 38 gallons entered into the storm sewer and more than 2,700 gallons spilled around the west side of the …

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Thank You Sturgis for the help

Three Rivers municipal officials on Monday issued a public thank-you to the city of Sturgis for its help with cleanup efforts from the 2012 Water Festival. According to a Three Rivers news release, after the city’s street sweeper failed to operate over the weekend, Three Rivers DPS crews turned to their counterparts in Sturgis for assistance. Sturgis sent its own …

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Generate Sturgis has winners

The second “Generate Sturgis” event, where residents with unique and practical business ideas pitch their concepts to city officials, drew four contestants last week. After hearing each idea, judges award first- and second-place cash winnings. Marcia Drake received $1,250 for her concept of a business that makes gift baskets comprised of items purchased locally. Drake told judges that items in …

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Sturgis City agreed to millage

City officials in Sturgis this week agreed to keep the municipality’s operating millage at 10.0285 mills. The amount is the lowest in four decades and more than 1.8 mills under the maximum amount the city could levy. Commissioner Dave Smith said he is happy Sturgis taxpayers have an affordable operating millage to support, but he noted the city’s general fund …

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Honeysett back to work

Constantine Village Manager Mark Honeysett has returned to work following heart bypass surgery. Honeysett came back to work on a limited basis May 23 following the April procedure. During Honeysett’s absence, police chief Jim Bedell served as acting village manager.

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Commission approves bid

The Three Rivers City Commission on Tuesday approved a $15,000 bid for a new mower and deck. The low bid was received from Three Rivers-based Fillmore Equipment. City officials said the majority of the cost will be covered by the municipality’s insurance company, as the previous mower caught fire and was damaged beyond repair.

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