A candidate who said he was a longshot to win the four-man Republican race for 59th House district was victorious in Tuesday’s primary election. Aaron Miller, a high-school math teacher and Sherman Township resident, captured more than 42 percent of the votes cast in St. Joseph County and 38 percent overall in the two-county district. He will face Democrat Mike …

The St. Joseph County Road Commission can continue to count on the voter-approved 1 mill it has relied on the past 20 years, as it was renewed for a 10-year period Tuesday. A request for an additional two mills, however, met a different fate in the primary election. The request for additional mills was defeated by a 56 to 44 …

St. Joseph County Commissioner Allen Balog was voted to two more years of duty Tuesday. The incumbent candidate for the county’s District 1 post defeated challenger Del Martin, 647 votes to 340 tallies. Balog, 58, is an insurance salesman wrapping up his fourth year as a county commissioner. A Three Rivers resident, Balog said he was grateful to have the …

The St. Joseph County Transportation Authority will be able to maintain its current level of services, as voters Tuesday renewed its request for 0.33 mills. The one-third mill will be in place for four years and will generate approximately $630,000 annually to help support its financial standing. Unofficial results show the renewal request passed by a 3-to-2 margin.

Centreville and Sturgis school districts were successful Tuesday in renewing their respective operational millages. Centreville was asking for renewal of nearly 20.2 mills for a 10-year period. At stake was more than $720,000 annually. Meanwhile, Sturgis Public Schools was seeking renewal of 18 mills over a 20-year period. Its 18 mills generate about $2.5 million a year.

Voters in Leonidas and Nottawa townships agreed to renew millages for separate operations. Leonidas Township voters renewed 1.7 mills for a five-year period for fire and ambulance services. The millage generates more than $1.7 million annually to fund the emergency services. Meanwhile, Nottawa Township Library was seeking renewal of more than 1.6 mills. The millage will be in effect for …

Longtime U.S. Rep. Fred Upton defeated a nurse from Dowagiac in the 6th District GOP primary in southwestern Michigan.  The 61-year-old Upton of St. Joseph defeated 46-year-old Jim Bussler in Tuesday’s primary. Upton has been in the House since 1987 and was widely considered a shoo-in to win the primary.  Before his election to Congress, Upton was director of legislative …

Michigan voters have passed Proposal 1, the only statewide ballot question in Tuesday’s election, meaning the phase-out of Michigan’s personal property tax on business will continue. Proposal 1 would gradually eliminate the personal property tax that some companies pay on equipment or machinery. The PPT was a source of revenue for many local communities, but Michigan’s general fund would partially …

Three Rivers Health is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Jackalyn Govier to the Three Rivers Health Medical Staff. She is practicing at Family Care White Pigeon and started seeing patients in June. “We are extremely fortunate to have Dr. Govier join our team,” said Chief Executive Officer, William Russell. Dr. Govier studied at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic …

Three Rivers Health is proud to announce that Dr. Van Marel has joined the medical team in May and is practicing at Internal Medicine. “We are extremely pleased that Dr. Van Marel is a part of our medical staff,” said Chief Executive Officer, William Russell. “He is an excellent internist who will capture the heart of our community. His skills …