Government

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 …

Four incumbents on the White Pigeon Township Board were voted out of office Tuesday. In the race for supervisor, longtime board member Don Gloy was outvoted, 508 to 320, by challenger Jason Trosper. The term covers a four-year period. Meanwhile, Anita Casada eked out a win over incumbent Trudy Gloy to claim the township treasurer position. The unofficial vote was …

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, …

An 18-year-old Sturgis man was killed in a Saturday morning crash at the intersection of South Nottawa Street and Bogen Road, according to the Sturgis Department of Public Safety. A passenger car was reportedly eastbound on Bogen Road when it pulled into the path of a southbound pickup. The driver of the passenger car was killed in the crash. The …

A Three Rivers man was injured in a two-vehicle crash earlier this week in Cass County’s Volinia Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 6 p.m. Tuesday to the intersection of Decatur Road and Marcellus Highway in response to a personal-injury crash. Investigators said 43-year-old South Bend resident Jocylyn Vanfleeren was driving north on Decatur Road and …

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.

A Three Rivers man and his passenger suffered injuries in a single-vehicle crash earlier this week just north of Jones in Cass County’s Newberg Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly before 1 p.m. Wednesday to an area south of Bald Hill Street on M-40. Investigators said Adrian Black, 31, was driving north on M-40 when he lost …

A Three Rivers man and his passenger suffered injuries in a single-vehicle crash earlier this week just north of Jones in Cass County’s Newberg Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said05 deputies were called shortly before 1 p.m. Wednesday to an area south of Bald Hill Street on M-40. Investigators said Adrian Black, 31, was driving north on M-40 when he lost …