Government

St. Joseph County will have a new prosecutor starting in 2021. Lockport Township resident David Marvin claimed a one-sided victory over incumbent John McDonough during Tuesday’s primary election. Though final numbers have not been canvassed, Marvin’s unofficial win was by a 4-to-1 margin, as he claimed 82 percent of the votes. Marvin, the son of longtime St. Joseph County Clerk …

A Three Rivers resident is one step closer to replacing Aaron Miller for 59th District state representative. St. Joseph County numbers show Steve Carra finished atop the five-person race to replace the term-limited Miller. Carra claimed 34 percent of the vote in St. Joseph County, handily topping the second-highest vote getter, Jack Coleman, who earned 24 percent of the vote. …

St. Joseph County’s incumbent sheriff Mark Lillywhite looks as if he’ll be returning to the post for four more years. The Republican candidate, who took office Feb. 1 to finish the 11 months left on Brad Balk’s term, was challenged by Florence Township resident Gordon Evilsizor. Lillywhite, a Three Rivers resident, had more than 80 percent of the vote Tuesday. …

As projected, the race for St. Joseph County treasurer was the most competitive local contest Tuesday. Kathy Humphreys squeaked out a win over Tammy Rigby, 4,930 votes to 4,500. The two, who are both Nottawa Township residents, work under incumbent Judie Ratering. Ratering announced earlier this year she would not be seeking re-election after serving since 2012.

A margin of three votes was the difference in the race for Fabius Township supervisor. Ken Linn claimed 391 votes while Dan Wilkins had 388 votes in a race to replace John Kroggel. Meanwhile, Tim Carls will be the new supervisor of Florence Township. Carls claimed 151 votes to Sarah Beckle’s 113. In Leonidas Township, incumbent Bernard Saxman will return …

Three townships had ballot questions Tuesday. Leonidas Township was seeking renewal of 1.7 mills over a four-year period for ambulance and fire protection. The proposal passed 132 to 77. Nottawa Township voters were asked to decide whether to renew 1.63 mills for a 10-year period to support library operations. The proposal passed 463 to 342. White Pigeon Township, too, was …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was unreceptive Tuesday to Republican-passed legislation that would require public schools to offer in-person instruction to students in kindergarten through fifth grade amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Democratic governor’s comments came after several districts announced they would start the academic year solely with distance learning regardless of whether Whitmer moves the rest of Michigan into phase five …

Police in southwestern Michigan said two brothers who were electrocuted when the mast of the sailboat they were moving hit a power line, were in stable condition Sunday at an Indiana hospital.  Emergency personnel were called to the scene after Austin Francis, age 31, of Kalamazoo and Cassopolis, and his brother Lane Francis, age 19, of Cassopolis, were accidentally electrocuted. …

Indiana will have a statewide face mask mandate starting next week, joining many other states in similar orders aimed at slowing the coronavirus spread, Gov. Eric Holcomb said Wednesday. The Indiana order will take effect Monday (July 27, 2020) and apply to anyone ages 8 and older in any indoor public or business areas and at outdoor public spaces when …

A man who robbed a bank in southwestern Michigan and tried to rob another was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison. David Floyd’s sentence last week was enhanced by his previous criminal record. Floyd, who has ties to Michigan City, Indiana, admitted to robbing $11,344 from the former New Buffalo Savings Bank in Three Oaks last September and attempting …