Government

The two-mill request in Centreville for the fire department was approved by voters, 320 to 155. The measure will raise nearly $45,000 in its first year. Meanwhile, a request in White Pigeon Township for three-quarters of a mill for matching funds with the St. Joseph County Road Commission was approved, 764 to 560. Voters also approved an emergency services millage …

Aaron Miller will return in January to serve his final two years as state representative for the 59th House District. Miller, a Sturgis resident, defeated Dennis Smith of Constantine by a margin of 66 to 34 percent. Miller, 31, said he appreciates the opportunity to serve the maximum three, two-year terms. A former high school teacher, Miller said he is …

Republican Kim LaSata, a 55-year-old Benton Harbor-area resident, will be the new state senator for the 21st District. She defeated Democrat Ian Haight (HATE). Haight, age 33, by a margin of 58 to 42 percent. LaSata, a former elementary school teacher, gave up her seat as a state representative to pursue the move up to state senator.

In Michigan’s 6th congressional district, Fred Upton was reelected, defeating Matt Longjohn by a 50 to 46% margin.

The Three Rivers Community Schools had three seats to fill. Elected to the board were Linda Baker, Erin Nowak, and Kevin Hamilton. Sturgis voters elected Kerri Millett and Gwen Donmyer to the school board. In Constantine, Wendy Rodewald and Marinda Stamp were elected to the school board. Centreville school district voters elected TJ Reed, Margaret Miller, Jeffery Troyer, and Jackie …

PROPOSAL 1 The proposal with perhaps the highest level of public interest will legalize the recreational use of marijuana. Under Proposal 1, recreational marijuana would be regulated in essentially the same way as alcohol. You won’t be allowed to use it if you’re under 21 and it will still be illegal to drive under the influence. People will be allowed …

An eight-year mystery into the disappearance and presumed death of a Colon Township woman came to an end Monday in Kalamazoo County’s Fulton Township. State police said Doug Stewart agreed to lead authorities to the location where he buried his wife, Venus Stewart, in April 2010. Authorities said Stewart was released Monday to the custody of state police at the …

Thirteen employees were recognized Tuesday for their milestone years of service to St. Joseph County. County commissioners staged their annual recognition ceremony, which was capped by an emotional tribute to sheriff Brad Balk by commission chairman Dennis Allen. The recipients were 10-year honorees Betty Persons, Commission On Aging senior center coordinator; Tim Hochstetler, building and grounds director; and Joseph Bingaman, …

Santa Fe police say they have made no arrests in a fatal shooting that killed a Michigan man. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the family of Richard Milan, who fatally shot Wednesday night, says he was on a cross-country road trip with his wife from California to their home in Kalamazoo. The 64-year-old man was fatally shot in the …

Three grants were renewed for another year following approval last week by the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. The first was a state grant for $173,000 to Community Corrections for a variety of programs and administration-related expenses. Next, commissioners OK’d an agreement making Emergency Management eligible for any number of grants in the 2019 fiscal year. The action is …