County Information

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 …

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 …

Four St. Joseph County officials and three county commissioners are running uncontested in today’s primary election. Sheriff Brad Balk, 63, is completing his second four-year term. He has said this will likely be his final run for the office. Balk lives in Centreville. The post currently pays $79,000 a year. Prosecutor John McDonough, 36, is also completing his eighth year …

The June unemployment rate in St. Joseph County increased by three-tenth of a percent compared to a month earlier. The monthly labor-market analysis by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget showed St. Joseph County’s 3.9 percent June unemployment rate was more than May’s 3.6 percent. However, June’s unemployment rate was seven-tenths of a percent less than the same …

A countywide effort to assist a benevolent organization netted $9,000 in cash donations during a recent, one-day fundraiser. Over a three-hour period July 23, personnel from almost every fire department in the county joined Walmart stores in Sturgis and Three Rivers, the Three Rivers High School band and Sturgis High School cheerleaders to solicit the money to benefit Habitat For …

A 57-year-old Three Rivers man required medical care after the bicycle he was riding was struck by a car in a hit-and-run incident last week in Constantine Township. Sheriff’s deputies said the man was bicycling south on the shoulder of U.S. 131 around 4 a.m. Friday when his bike was struck near the intersection of Garber Road. The driver of …

A Cass County police agency released the identity of a man who was killed in an industrial accident last week. Ontwa Township Edwardsburg Police Department Chief Timothy Kozal said 32-year-old David Kantz died as a result of injuries he suffered from a machine press at a business in the 69000 block of Kraus Road in Edwardsburg. Kantz, an employee for …

A 33-year-old Colon man was arrested on drug-related charges this week in Three Rivers with the aid of a department K9 officer. Three Rivers police said Brandon Weinberg was stopped Wednesday near the intersection of River and 14th streets for a traffic violation. The officer who initiated the stop was suspicious of Weinberg’s replies to his questions. Furthermore, Weinberg denied …