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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 …

Michiganders are finding the lowest prices at the pump since April. The state average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $2.72; 39 cents less than this year’s high, and the same as this time last year. Gas prices continued their downward trek last week, declining another 9 cents.  The state average declined for the 10th consecutive day on Sunday, for a total discount of 12 cents. Most …

Firefighters from four departments battled a house fire Thursday in White Pigeon Township. The fire, which destroyed a vacant house in the 16000 block of U.S. 12, was reported by a passerby at 10:45 p.m. First-arriving personnel found heavy fire coming from the rear of the home, located across from the White Pigeon Fire Department. High winds hampered efforts to extinguish …

State Sen. John Proos last week congratulated 10 schools in his district awarded more than $1.4 million in grants to make safety improvements. The Legislature dedicated $25 million in the state’s budget for the Competitive School Safety Grant program to help improve the safety and security of school buildings through the purchase of technology and equipment and through school building …

Sturgis Hospital recently announced the closure of its Home Health Service, effective Dec. 31. Patients will have options for care from other agencies providing services within St. Joseph County. The hospital continues to experience significant financial difficulties, according to a press release. Over the past 18 months, reimbursements received from Medicare, Medicaid and other insurers have not kept pace with the …

Colon Community Schools was recently recognized for its participation in a statewide initiative and willingness to take part in pilot programs, among other positives. The Michigan Data Hub is a statewide program that was part of a recent retreat where awards were given for contributions to the MiDataHub initiative. Nine awards went to intermediate school districts across the state, except …

Cass County sheriff’s officials said a Vandalia woman was injured after the vehicle she was driving struck a deer. Sheriff Richard Behnke said the incident took place shortly after 12:30 p.m. Thursday in Marcellus Township. Behnke said 50-year-old Michelle Wax was driving west on Dutch Settlement Road, where her vehicle struck the deer near the intersection of Huff Road. Wax …