County Information

Jeff Wenzel will return for a fifth term as St. Joseph County Drain Commissioner, as he fended off a challenger during Tuesday’s primary election. Wenzel fell behind early but picked up much-needed votes in the final hours of voting to defeat Josh Harter. Wenzel captured 5,282 votes, beating Harker by just 179 votes. Wenzel, a Lake Templene resident, has secured …

Two millage-renewal requests sought by two county agencies were passed by St. Joseph County voters Tuesday. The St. Joseph County Road Commission was successful in its request for a 10-year renewal of 1 mill to maintain $2.5 million annually. The road millage has been in place since 1994 and a renewal request has passed every decade since. Nearly a quarter …

A pair of contested races to St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners were decided during Tuesday’s primary election. First-term incumbent Luis Rosado fended off a challenge from David Hayslip, maintaining the 4th District seat by a margin of 54 percent of all votes to Hayslip earning more than 45 percent of the votes. Rosado, for the next four years, will …

In Cass County, Clint Roach won the race for sheriff with 78 percent of the vote. The incumbent drain commissioner, Jeff VanBelle won reelection with 52 percent. Two county-wide millage renewals were approved in Cass County, for older citizens services, and for drug enforcement. A number of Cass County millage-renewals were successful. Marcellus Township voters approved renewals for road maintenance, …

Undersheriff Jason Bingaman led an awards event last week recognizing law-enforcement across St. Joseph County. During the July 3 event, Bingaman presented “Employee of the Month” awards to deputies Brooke Bingaman, Veronica Hoggard, Devantae Jennings, Kevin Penn, Jesse Raymond, Spencer Schrader and Ethan Warren. Meanwhile, Bingaman gave lifesaving awards to Deputy Zach Radtke and White Pigeon Police Officer Matt Hanson.

Michigan Department of Transportation has announced resurfacing of nearly 20 miles of roadways will start next week.  (Week of July 8th) Agency spokesman Nick Schirripa said the work will take place in Constantine, Lockport, Park, Mendon and Nottawa Townships. The $2.5 million job includes chip-seal, fog-seal and micro-surfacing procedures. Schirripa said work zones are on U.S. 131, from Dickinson Road …

Organizers behind St. Joseph County’s monthly fresh-food distribution are issuing an appeal to the public for support to ensure continuation of the program. Cynthia Pennington said the organization urgently needs donations to continue monthly distribution of 150 fresh-food boxes, each costing $2, for a total of $300 per month. The program operates strictly on donations and its funding will be …

St. Joseph County United Way has established a catastrophic fund for the family of Olivia Wright. All proceeds donated to this specially designated fund will benefit Wright’s husband, Cameron, and daughter, Haven. Questions, concerns or donations can be directed to the Centreville-based agency at 467-9099.

There were fewer traffic crashes and alcohol-related arrests in St. Joseph County last year compared to 2022. Undersheriff Jason Bingaman provided a wealth of data to St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners during their monthly meeting Tuesday. Bingaman was in attendance to give the sheriff’s department’s 2023 annual report. According to information provided by Bingaman, there were 611 crashes in …

A thorny subject related to an alleged conflict of interest was revisited by St. Joseph County commissioners during their executive committee meeting May 14. The issue started in April, when county commissioners voted 4-3 to remove Dennis Allen from the board’s law enforcement committee. Commissioners voting for removal agreed Allen is in a position of conflict as a candidate for …