Dennis Allen emerged Tuesday as the victor from a field of three candidates in the race for County Commission District 3. The seat, being vacated by Rick Shaffer, will be decided in November, when the 60-year-old Allen will face Democrat Tim Carls of Florence Township. Allen received 881 votes, 432 more than fellow Centreville resident Heather Bright. John Hyden garnered …

Seven of St. Joseph County’s 16 townships had contested races settled in Tuesday’s primary election. In Burr Oak Township, Richard Baker and Michael Perry claimed the two available trustee seats. Timothy Hahn was the odd man out. Fabius Township settled two contests: Melissa Patch came up 10 votes short against Carol Wilkins for clerk, while Cliff Maxwell and Daniel Wilkins …

Several millage requests went before voters in the Tuesday primary. Leonidas Township voters defeated a request for fire truck funding. The Nottawa Community Schools millage was approved. A building millage for the Sturgis Public Schools was narrowly defeated, 51 to 49 percent. An ambulance millage request was okayed by voters in the village of White Pigeon. A library millage was …

On Monday, August 1, 2016, David M. Coblentz, age 78, went home to be with his Lord and Savior and entered into Glory after a long fight of failing health. He was surrounded by his family at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, MI. He had a zeal for life and never complained about his many health complications. David was born …

Meri Ann Laughman, age 50, of Constantine, passed away Monday, August 1, 2016 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. She was born October 1, 1965 in Dallas, TX, a daughter of Benjamin and Joan (Taylor) Starkweather. She attended Edwardsburg schools. On April 6, 1990 she married Terry Laughman in Constantine. Meri attended Trinity Missionary Church and Three Rivers Bible Church. …

Karl Galen Callender Sr., age 68, of Constantine, died August 01, 2016, at Three Rivers Health Hospital. He was born December 28, 1947, a son of George and Alice (Bennett) Callender. On July 7, 1993 Karl married Janelle Ripke in Louisville, KY. He worked as a door builder at Hallmark Industries in Bristol for 21 years, retiring in December 2007. …

Martin R. (Marty) Wesse, 62, of Constantine, died Thursday, July 21, 2016, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was born July 3, 1954, in Three Rivers, a son of Harold G. and Bonnie J. (Schultz) Wesse. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He lived in the Constantine and White Pigeon area most of his life. …

This week’s column is a continuation of last week’s, so back to the campsite. Thursday, July 21, had a weather forecast of being extremely hot, with a chance of severe thunderstorms. I’m pretty sure that Mother Nature was at one time was a member of the military’s Delta Force. Delta Force has said, “You can run, but you can’t hide.” …

A number of decisions concerning local government will be made during today’s primary election. Polls are open until 8 o’clock tonight. Leading the way are two contested races for county commission. District 2 incumbent Don Eaton, a Burr Oak Township resident, is being challenged by Mendon residents Chad Behrens and Kathy Pangle. All three are running as Republicans. The district …

St. Joseph County will have a newly elected clerk and register of deeds after today’s primary election. Voters will decide between two Republican contenders Melissa Marsh of Fabius Township and Lindsay Oswald of Lockport Township. Oswald has held the position since July 2015, as she was appointed after predecessor Pattie Bender announced her retirement. The post is for a four-year …