Government

The closest political contest of the night in Tuesday’s primary election centered on the race for county clerk/register of deeds. Lindsay Oswald emerged the winner by just 303 votes to claim the four-year term over Fabius Township resident Melissa Marsh. Oswald, who lives in Lockport Township, received 2,807 votes to Marsh’s 2,504 for a 53 percent margin of victory to …

Mendon resident Kathy Pangle pulled off the upset of the night Tuesday in defeating incumbent Don Eaton to District 2 of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Tuesday’s primary election pitted Eaton, a six-year board member, against Pangle and Mendon resident Chad Behrends. Pangle’s 660 votes represented 60 percent of the votes cast in the five-township district that is …

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 …

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 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 …