Local News Archives

We pay more for car insurance in Michigan than any other state, and a new report finds a big factor to that is 20% of Michigan drivers are getting behind the wheel without any insurance at all. Lori Conarton from the Insurance Alliance of Michigan tells us the state’s unique no-fault law that requires everyone purchase unlimited, lifetime medical benefits as part of their policies is overdue for changes to bring the costs down and make it easier for everyone to get insured.. ...Read Full Story

The Cass County Sheriff’s Department says one man was arrested following a shooting incident in Vandalia Friday afternoon. It tells us deputies responded to a call about shots being fired around 2:40. They learned there had been several people arguing when two people pulled out guns and shot at each other. No one was injured, but there was some property damage. One of the suspects was arrested, and the other is now being sought by police. The sheriff’s department says he is not a danger to the general public. Anyone with information on that individual’s location is asked to call the Cass County Sheriff’s Department.. ...Read Full Story

The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department tells us two men are in custody after a chase with deputies on Friday. It started in the 47,000 block of 27th Street in Almena Township when a sheriff’s deputy pulled over a black sport bike for a plate violation. The bike had been traveling with two others, and police say the other riders took off, fleeing from the deputy. A chase began. One of the riders wiped out at a dead end on 30th Street, and was taken into custody. Another of the riders tried to cut through a field, hit a fence, and then was taken into custody. The sheriff’s department says the two arrested are 47-year-old man from Lawton and a 40-year-old man from Galesburg. Both suspects had suspended licenses. Neither bike was properly registered or plated, and neither driver had a cycle endorsement. Both suspects were taken to the Van Buren County Jail.. ...Read Full Story

Retiring Lake Michigan College Trustee Judy Truesdell has been saluted for her years of service by the LMC Board of Trustees. At a meeting this week, the board sent Truesdell off with a resolution commending and thanking her for her work on behalf of the college. She’s served since 1997, and told us LMC has grown quite a bit in that time.. ...Read Full Story

Governor Rick Snyder has signed legislation from state Senator John Proos designed to reward Michigan students who take STEM classes and to inform them about the jobs available in their areas. Proos tells WSJM News one bill creates a special STEM certification to be put on a student’s diploma or transcript when they take extra science, technology, engineering, or math classes.. ...Read Full Story

July is Craft Beer Month, a chance for Michigan’s quickly growing craft beer industry to showcase its strength and for distributors to celebrate locally-made brews. Bud Distributing Sales Manager Jenna Podjan tells WSJM News the Dowagiac-based company’s roster of beers has grown quite a bit recently as local makers have sprung up.. ...Read Full Story

The 33rd annual Eau Claire Cherry Festival will be held on Wednesday, the Fourth of July. The festival’s Cindy Glassman Cantrell tells us the downtown area of Eau Claire is shut down for the fun, which is intended for all ages. They’ll have everything from a baby contest to teen and adult tricycle races. It all kicks off at 9 a.m. with the oil can derby and baking contest. At 10 a.m. they’ll have the cherry baby contest, the parade is at 1 p.m. and the pie eating contest. Cantrell tells us the contest is a fun way to get some free cherry pie. You’ll be able to buy a cup of cherries around town for $1. There will also be fireworks at dusk at the Pipestone Township office. Cantrell expects around 2,000 people to come to town for the festival, which she tells us is all about the community and the children.. ...Read Full Story

The Berrien County Health Department has activated a heat alert for this entire weekend, warning everyone to take steps to keep themselves healthy and safe. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News you need to be sure to drink plenty of water.. ...Read Full Story

Dowagiac will hold its fireworks tonight. The fifth annual fireworks celebration in Dowagiac will be at dusk at the Dowagiac Municipal Airport. The show is possible thanks to the Young Professionals of Greater Dowagiac and donations from the community. Southwestern Michigan College has also stepped in to make the grand finale possible. The Young Professionals of Greater Dowagiac tell us you’ll be able to watch the fireworks from any location near the airport. You can find out more at their Facebook page.. ...Read Full Story

Air conditioners are buzzing and likely won’t be turning off until next week all over southwest Michigan with this heat bubble that’s slowly moving over the eastern U.S. In order to be sure your home stays as cool as it can, Michael Levy of Airmaster Heating and Air Conditioning in metro Detroit says you should make sure you have a clean air filter, and that you’ve hosed off all the coils in the outside unit. But the thermostat may still take a while to go down inside your home if you keep it set in the low 70s.. ...Read Full Story

Thousands of people are expected to pack into Silver Beach County Park, Tiscornia Park and Jean Klock Park on Wednesday for the city of St. Joseph’s July 4th fireworks show. St. Joseph Deputy Public Safety Director Steve Neubecker says there will be parking restrictions in place.. ...Read Full Story

USA Today has included Red Arrow Highway in its list of beautiful scenic drives around the United States. In a piece published this week, USA Today picks one route from each state to identify as offering lovely views. For Michigan, the pick is “The Red Arrow Highway.” The article writes it “takes you along the shores of Lake Michigan through quaint coastal towns,” adding a popular attraction along the way is the St. Joseph Lighthouse. Red Arrow Highway can take you from New Buffalo to Kalamazoo. As for Indiana, USA Today recommends driving around Parke County because of its covered bridges. For Illinois, it’s the Ohio River Scenic Byway. You can see the USA Today list right here.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor Area Schools will be led by Dr. Robert Herrera, after all. The school board, state officials, and Herrera have agreed on a start date of July 17 for him to serve as the district’s CEO. The board announced his hire a few weeks ago, only to have Herrera issue a statement the next day saying there were too many unanswered questions from the state at the time and saying he had not been offered a job. He is currently the superintendent of South Haven Public Schools.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press —  Rick Snyder has signed a $16.8 billion education budget that includes a sizable increase in base aid for lower-funded K-12 districts in Michigan. The outgoing Republican governor approved his final education budget Thursday. It adds $120 to $240 for each student compared to last year’s budget. It’s the largest increase in 17 years.
The budget also buoys career and technical training – a priority of Snyder’s – by funding high schools up to $50 more per student in those programs. Democrats had rejected the proposed budget in the GOP-controlled Legislature, saying it won’t be enough to reverse course in Michigan’s most cash-strapped districts. They also castigated a provision that allows a quarter of the staff at some schools to be laid off if student performance does not improve.. ...Read Full Story

She is sometimes known as the Sand Pirate, and she’s perhaps southwest Michigan’s most renown sand sculptor. Janet Moore Schrader tells WSJM News she started sculpting with sand after winning a battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in the early 2000s. She found it therapeutic to go down to the beach in Chikaming Township where she lives, and eventually became an expert at making art with sand. Since then, she’s become known around Bridgman, helping the local schools raise money for a STEM program.. ...Read Full Story

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department is reminding everyone of what the rules are for shooting off fireworks now that the Fourth of July is just about here. Chief Deputy Robert Boyce tells WSJM News, first of all, there are statewide limits on when someone can use fireworks.. ...Read Full Story

Berrien County Commissioner Jeanette Leahey is hoping to conduct a county salary study. For the past few meetings, she has asked other commissioners for their input as the Personnel and Human Services Committee weighs its options. Leahey tells WSJM News this would be the first county and court employee salary study in 20 years.. ...Read Full Story

There have been some clear changes in Berrien County’s employment picture since the end of the Great Recession. The latest economic outlook report from the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research takes a look at such trends throughout west Michigan. Upjohn analyst Brian Pittelko tells WSJM News business and management jobs have dramatically grown in the Niles-Benton Harbor market since 2016. We asked Pittelko which jobs have gone down.. ...Read Full Story

It’s going to be very hot over the next few days in Michigan, especially in southern lower Michigan. The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids has issued an excessive heat watch from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening.. ...Read Full Story

The man accused of a murder last Thursday in Van Buren County is behind bars on a $3 million bond. Troy Taylor was arraigned yesterday on open murder and felony firearms charges for allegedly shooting and killing a former friend, Timothy Henley of Kalamazoo, at a Pine Grove Township house. Taylor spent several days on the run before being captured earlier this week at a home in White Pigeon, and prosecutors are planning to bring charges against those who were trying to keep him from police. According to police, Taylor was at the home to pick up his daughter, and an argument ensued between him and Henley. Henley broke out a window in Taylor’s car, prompting him to pull a gun and shoot. The victim was dating the gunman’s ex-girlfriend, who is also the mother of Taylor’s daughter. Police say that relationship resulted in the end of their friendship.. ...Read Full Story

While Michigan is making some progress in child well-being, a new report shows it’s still falling behind its neighbors. The 2018 Kids Count Data Book released Wednesday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation assesses how kids are doing in the areas of health, education, economic well-being, and family and community. Michigan Kids Count Project Director Alicia Guevara Warren tells us Michigan falls in the bottom half of states in many measures.. ...Read Full Story

For the first time in 18 years, there are currently no emergency managers in charge of any Michigan cities or school districts. Michigan Department of Treasury spokesperson Ron Leix tells WSJM News Highland Park Schools got out of receivership last month, following a statewide trend.. ...Read Full Story

The Michigan Department of Transportation will be shutting down two I-94 ramps this Friday in Van Buren County so they can be reconstructed. MDOT tells us the ramps at exit 52 in Lawrence are being rebuilt. That’s the ramp to eastbound I-94 and the ramp from eastbound I-94. They will have detours. The closures are part of a larger project to resurface almost six miles of eastbound I-94 from 56th Street to M-51 in Van Buren County. The closure of the Lawrence ramps begins Friday and will end on July 20. You can stay on top of all MDOT summer construction projects at Michigan.gov/MIDrive.. ...Read Full Story

The latest book of foreclosed properties set to be auctioned off by the Berrien County Treasurer’s office is now available. Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells WSJM News the new book has 183 properties, of which 181 were foreclosed this year. He tells us they run the gamut. Someone looking to buy has a variety of options.. ...Read Full Story

Retiring Lake Michigan College Trustee Judy Truesdell has been saluted for her years of service by the LMC Board of Trustees. At a meeting this week, the board sent Truesdell off with a resolution commending and thanking her for her work on behalf of the college. She’s served since 1997, and told us LMC has grown quite a bit in that time.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Michigan officials are looking for accomplished motorcyclists who could teach others to ride.
Secretary of State Ruth Johnson says safety class instructors play essential roles in the Michigan Rider Education Program.
Johnson says motorcycling is a complex skill requiring good judgment and information on the road to assess risks and react appropriately. The pay rate for “ridercoaches” ranges from $24 to $35 per hour, depending on location. Applicants must be experience motorcyclists who enjoy working with people and have good riding and communication skills. The fee for a ridercoach prep course is $75 and includes required materials. Candidates spend about 80 hours in the classroom and on the riding range. Nearly 11,500 people enrolled in a Michigan motorcycle safety class last year. More information is available online .. ...Read Full Story

The US Supreme Court says government workers can’t be forced to contribute to labor unions that represent them in collective bargaining, dealing a serious financial blow to organized labor. The justices are scrapping a 41-year-old decision in the Abood v. Detroit Board of Education case that had allowed states to require that public employees pay some fees to unions that represent them, even if the workers choose not to join. Illinois state worker Mark Janus sued to overturn the decades-old ruling, saying his $45 a month fee to AFSCME violated his First Amendment rights under the constitution.. ...Read Full Story

Antwan “Tank” Mims of Benton Harbor is now on the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives” list for two murders on March 25 at a house party. The FBI’s Jeffrey Downey says Mims walked up to Cortez Miller and Michael Johnson and shot them in front of about 100 people.. ...Read Full Story

A temporary kids museum is coming to South Haven. Set to be open from July 1 through September 3 is the non-profit Forever Curious Children’s Museum. It will be located in a storefront on Phoenix Street, and will feature everything from sand and water tables to a cardboard construction zone to giant blocks to a tinker table and a STEAM exhibit. The museum will also have family activities. The museum says the idea is to provide a way for educational fun in the busy summer months. All of the exhibits will be approved by former educators to ensure they complement the current Core and STEAM school curriculum. Opening day for the pop-up Forever Curious Children’s Museum will be this Sunday with a kick-off party, and then the place will be open each day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can find out more right here.. ...Read Full Story

A new name will be added to the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List” later this morning in Benton Harbor. The bureau, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Michigan State Police, Benton Harbor Public Safety, and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department will be announcing the addition of a new person to the list, but no indication has come about who it might be. However, federal and local authorities have been trying to find 40-year-old Antwan “Tank” Mims for a double murder in Benton Harbor since March. He was initially believed to have taken off to Indianapolis after the crime and the FBI says he also has ties to Georgia and Tennessee. WSJM News will have more on this story this afternoon.. ...Read Full Story

A 61-year-old Pipestone Township man is in bad shape after being attacked by his pit bull. Michigan State Police were called to the home in the 63-hundred block of Pipestone Road at 6:30 Tuesday night on a report of a dog attack. They found the man “severely injured” on the floor with the dog still biting his arms. The trooper shot the dog when it turned on him, and the dog’s owner was rushed to Lakeland Hospital for treatment. There is no word on his condition as yet. State police tell WSJM News the man was in shock from blood loss and had several deep cuts to both arms from the bites.. ...Read Full Story

One of the highlights of summer in Michigan’s Great Southwest is the South Haven Art Fair, and it’s coming up soon. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Art Fair which brings a blend of talent that includes works in acrylic, oil, watercolor, pastel and more. The setting is Stanley Johnston Park this Saturday and Sunday, and the fair has attracted as many as 120 local and regional artists, along with thousands of guests. Stanley Johnston Park is a short walk from Lake Michigan and admission to the Art Fair is free.. ...Read Full Story

High marks for Lake Michigan College President Trevor Kubatzke. At a Tuesday meeting, the LMC Board of Trustees gave Kubatzke a positive performance evaluation. President Michael Lindley told WSJM News since Kubatzke came on in April of last year, he’s proven to be a strong leader.. ...Read Full Story

The St. Joseph High School football team is going to team up to fight cancer this year, and there are ways you can help. The Team Up Against Cancer campaign’s Regina Ciaravino tells WSJM News the Bears will use a September 24 game to raise money for the Marie Yeager Cancer Center and Berrien County Cancer Services.. ...Read Full Story

Police have caught a murder suspect out of Van Buren County who had been on the run since last week. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department tells us 38-year-old Troy Lee Taylor was arrested Tuesday afternoon. Investigators received a tip about his location. Police had been looking for Taylor since last Thursday when the body of 40-year-old Timothy Henley of Kalamazoo was found at a home in Gobles. It’s alleged Taylor shot and killed Henley. Prosecutors have issued a warrant for Taylor on charges of for open murder and felony firearm.. ...Read Full Story

How big of a problem is gerrymandering in Michigan? According to a new report from the Citizen’s Research Council of Michigan, it’s a significant one. “Quantifying The Level of Gerrymandering In Michigan” finds the practice goes back to the 1800s as politicians drew districts in order to benefit their own parties. Research Associate Jordon Newton tells WSJM News one way to quantify gerrymandering is to look at the “efficiency gap,” which measures what percentage of votes in district are wasted.. ...Read Full Story

When kids age out of foster care in Michigan, what do they do if they want to go to college? Fundraising efforts have been underway for the past several years through Fostering Futures to raise scholarship money for those who have aged out of foster care. Robin Lott is the executive director of the Michigan Education Trust and says 70% of kids who age out of foster care nationwide want to attend college.. ...Read Full Story

The re-sentencing of a man convicted of second degree murder in Berrien County nearly 40 years ago is being appealed by Berrien County Prosecutor Michael Sepic. Michael Johnson was 17 when he pleaded guilty to the murder charge in the death of 16-year-old Sue Ellen Machemer. The two were classmates at Lakeshore High School. Johnson was sentenced to life in prison in 1980. A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down life without parole sentences for juveniles prompted Judge John Donahue last month to order a re-sentencing for Johnson, but Prosecutor Sepic says that ruling didn’t apply to Johnson’s case. He’s appealing to the Michigan Court of Appeals. Sepic writes the “reason this is important to other cases is that the natural extension of Judge Donahue’s decision is that any 17 year old — an adult for criminal law purposes in Michigan — convicted of any crime would have to be sentenced” using factors related to the Supreme Court case. He says “That is not what the United States Supreme Court requires.”. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — It’s summer, but don’t be fooled — the Great Lakes are still dangerously cold. The U.S. Coast Guard says water temperatures below 77 degrees can quickly cause hypothermia for someone who falls from a boat. All five of the lakes are well below that mark. A sudden plunge into cold water can trigger a gasp reflex leading to inhalation of water and drowning. In addition to wearing life jackets, the Coast Guard says mariners should dress according to the temperature of the water, not the air. They also should file a float plan or at least inform others about where they’re going and when they expect to return.. ...Read Full Story

Reaction is pouring in to the US Supreme Court’s decision to uphold President Trump’s travel ban targeting mostly Muslim nations. Bill O’Keefe with Catholic Relief Services in Baltimore tells the Michigan News Network the decision is a ruling on the legality of the ban, but not on its morality.. ...Read Full Story

A word of warning if you’ve got a tight household budget. Gas prices are going to be going up in the next 24 to 48 hours according to GasBuddy analyst Patrick DeHaan due to an announcement by OPEC nations that they won’t increase production as much as had been hoped.. ...Read Full Story

Paul Clements will not be on the primary ballot next month when voters choose which Democrat will face Congressman Fred Upton in November. Clements has lost his legal challenges to state elections officials ruling he was nine signatures shy of the 1,000 needed to be on the ballot. The issue was voters signing nominating petitions but not clearly indicating if they lived in the city or the township in areas where the same name is shared, like Kalamazoo and St. Joseph. The Western Michigan University professor was the Democratic nominee in the 6th Congressional District in 2014 and 2016 and has endorsed the candidacy of Dr. Matt Longjohn ahead of the August primary.. ...Read Full Story

A photo contest is being held by the West Michigan Tourist Association as it prepares to put together its 2019 West Michigan Carefree Travel Guide. The association tells us it wants photos that depict the beauty of the region from all west Michigan residents. The photos can be of everything from Harbor Country to the Upper Peninsula. The first place winner will have their submission featured on the cover of the 2019 West Michigan Carefree Travel Guide. They’ll also get a free trip to Grand Rapids and other goodies. Second and third place will get their photos featured on the inside of the travel guide, and some tickets to attractions in Grand Rapids and Muskegon. You can find our more about the photo contest right here.. ...Read Full Story

The new Michigan Apprenticeships Experience Sooner campaign kicked off Monday in Kalamazoo. Stephanie Beckhorn is the director of the Michigan Workforce Development Agency. She tells us the program is a collaboration between the state, education institutions, and businesses.. ...Read Full Story

A second local governmental unit is on record opposing a bill from state Senator John Proos to exempt utilities from paying personal property taxes on new equipment, including transmission lines and power generation devices like solar farms and windmills. The St. Joseph City Commission last night joined the Berrien County Commission in saying they don’t want the bill passed. Mayor Mike Garey says as it stands, the city will lose over $100,000.. ...Read Full Story

A K9 with the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department has received a donation of body armor thanks to a non-profit group. Vested Interest Incorporated, which works to provide bullet and stab protective vests to police dogs across the country, has sent K9 Luca a vest of his own. Since 2009, Vested Interest has provided more than 3,000 protective vests to K9s around the United States. It’s able to do so thanks to donors. The charity notes the cost to sponsor a vest for a police dog is $950, while each vest has a value between $1,700 and $2,200. Luca is partnered with Allegan County Deputy Ryan Rewa, and they’ve been working together for almost a year. The sheriff’s department tells us Luca is trained in narcotics detection, tracking, and handler protection.. ...Read Full Story

St. Joseph Public School Trustees are pleased with district Superintendent Ann Cardon. At a Monday meeting, the board of education approved Cardon’s annual performance evaluation and extended her contract through June 30, 2021. Board President Amy Porritt Peirce told WSJM News Cardon has been rated “highly effective” for the sixth year in a row.. ...Read Full Story

Love Creek County Park in Berrien Center is expanding. At their most recent meeting, the Berrien County Board of Commissioners approved putting up a match for a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant approved by the governor last year. The trust fund will provide Berrien County with $56,000 to buy 12 acres of property adjacent to Love Creek County Park on its northwest edge. The county’s contribution is $19,000. The Berrien County Parks Department tells us the total $75,000 acquisition from the Higgins family will allow for expanded skiing, hiking, and biking trails. Parks Director Brian Bailey has also told us the new land has a pond, creating educational opportunities.. ...Read Full Story

$185,000 in scholarships will be handed out by the Berrien Community Foundation in the 2018-2019 academic year. The foundation announced the scholarship recipients at a reception last week. Foundation Program Manager Susan Matheny tells WSJM News the scholarships managed by the organization are all possible due to endowments set up by individuals, non-profits, and businesses.. ...Read Full Story

From the Associated Press — Lawyers for 330 migrant workers and a western Michigan blueberry farm have agreed to settle a lawsuit over pay. A federal judge is holding a hearing Wednesday. Each worker is likely to get at least $300. Payments could be higher if people can’t be found and money is leftover. Blue Star Farms in Allegan County was accused of failing to keep accurate
records and failing to fully pay workers during the 2011, 2012 and 2013 seasons. The farm denied the allegations but agreed to settle the lawsuit. The money would be paid over a few years because the farm can’t immediately afford to foot the bill. The total settlement is valued at $200,000. Lawyers for the workers would get up to $66,000.. ...Read Full Story

It could be a record summer travel season in west Michigan through the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids. That’s after it was the busiest May ever with travel up 11.5%. Spokesperson  Tara Hernandez spoke with Michigan News Network about it.. ...Read Full Story

Three women are safely back on land after a water rescue in the Dowagiac Creek by the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office. They were not in life jackets when their inner tube flipped over as they were floating along in Niles Township just after 6 p.m. Sunday. Two of them were able to swim to shore, but struggled doing so, while the third grabbed onto a tree over the river and waited for help. Deputies say they worked with local and state police and fire units on the water rescue and are reminding people to always have a life jacket when you’re on the water. The creek had a steady current and was high due to recent rains.. ...Read Full Story

AAA Michigan says average gas prices statewide have fallen about 13¢ in the past week to about $2.90 per gallon. The auto club says the average price for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline is about 53¢ more than at the same point last year. Michigan’s lowest average price was $2.75 in the Traverse City area. The highest was $2.99 in the Ann Arbor area. AAA says it’s the eighth week in a row that the Ann Arbor area has had the highest average. In the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph area, we’re at $2.85, down 16¢ from last week. South Haven prices range from $2.77 to $2.82 according to GasBuddy, but those prices are not included in Triple-A’s survey.. ...Read Full Story

Police in Van Buren County are continuing to hunt for a murder suspect. There’s been no sign of 38-year-old Troy Taylor since he allegedly shot and killed 40-year-old Timothy Henley of Kalamazoo last Thursday night, except for the car Taylor was last driving being found behind a home near Paw Paw on Saturday. Van Buren County Sheriff’s Captain Virg Franks says right now, there’s not a lot they can say other than Taylor is believed to be armed and dangerous.. ...Read Full Story

South Bend police say a 37-year-old Benton Harbor man was killed this weekend near Notre Dame’s McConnell Family Boathouse. Our newsgathering partners at WNDU NewsCenter 16 report Eric Phillips was shot several times between 3:30 and 3:45 a.m. Saturday. His body was found by an off-duty police officer roughly three hours later as the officer was headed to breakfast. St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Commander Tim Corbett says they are looking for someone who was with Phillips who was seen running from the scene. No arrests have been made.. ...Read Full Story

The South Haven City Council is reviewing an Abonmarche study regarding waves on the Black River. High lake levels and winds are causing damage to boats docked at some marinas on the Black River. Harbormaster Kate Hosier spoke with WSJM News about the issue.. ...Read Full Story

School districts around the country will soon be able to apply for federal grants to conduct facility reviews. Congressman Fred Upton tells WSJM News the U.S. Justice Department is now taking applications for the grants due to the STOP School Violence Act, which was approved in March.. ...Read Full Story

A 24-year-old man is recovering after being hit from behind on his bicycle in Cass County’s Volinia Township over the weekend. The sheriff’s department tells us Jason Howard of Decatur is expected to make a full recovery and suffered only minor injuries. He was hit just after 12:30 p.m. Sunday on Decatur Road by what police believe was a silver Ford Crown Victoria or similar sedan. The vehicle has front end damage to the right side from the crash. Howard was taken to Borgess Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac for treatment.. ...Read Full Story

Benton Harbor City Commissioners this week approved the 2018-2019 budget, sending the city into the next fiscal year with a surplus of about $22,000. At the commission’s regular meeting, City Manager Darwin Watson said the spending plan anticipates a little more than $7.9 million in revenue and just under that in expenditures. He noted pensions remain a major expense.. ...Read Full Story

Another Amazon fulfillment center is coming to Michigan. The company will locate its fourth center in the state in Gaines Township, south of Grand Rapids. Spokesperson Shevaun Brown says the when open, the facility will bring hundreds of jobs to the area.. ...Read Full Story