Government

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 …

Michigan on Wednesday reported its biggest increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases in nearly two months, leading Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to say she may be forced to reimpose some restrictions if the upward trajectory holds. Whitmer again pleaded with people to wear face coverings in public. Michigan State men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo, women’s coach Suzy Merchant and University of Michigan …

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday extended Michigan’s coronavirus emergency declaration through Aug. 11, five months after she first issued it, pointing to an uptick in new cases over the past three weeks. The move, which was expected, allows the Democratic governor to keep in place various orders designed to curb the virus, including certain business closures, limits on gatherings, a mask requirement …

Larry Walton (R), a candidate for the Michigan House of Representatives in the 59th District, has received the “Friend of Agriculture” designation and endorsement from Michigan Farm Bureau’s AgriPac for the Aug. 4 primary election. “It’s an honor to receive the endorsement from AgriPac,” Walton said. “As a member of the St. Joseph County Farm Bureau, this recognition is one not taken lightly. …